Staff Reports
President Isaac Herzog has handed Gadi Eisenkot the task of building Israel’s next government, and yes — the political shuffling has already begun. Eisenkot, a former IDF chief turned Yashar party leader, is trying to pull together a majority while loudly insisting on core principles like “service for all.” That sounds noble. It also sounds like starting a dance with at least three left feet and a broken metronome.
Eisenkot’s mandate and early moves
Herzog acted on the Knesset consultations: factions representing 67 MKs recommended Eisenkot versus 46 for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and that is why Eisenkot got the first crack at coalition talks. He’s not wasting time. Eisenkot’s bloc has already agreed to nominate Yashar’s Matan Kahana as Knesset speaker and to divvy up key committee posts — a classic parliamentary play to shape the rules before the game is over. Eisenkot has been loud about his red lines: Israel must remain a Jewish-and-democratic state, Hamas must be recognized as a terror group, and every citizen must share in “service for all” — military or national service. That demand, noble on paper, is the kind of promise that will either unite partners or blow coalition talks apart.
Coalition math: numbers, kingmakers and knotty compromises
The arithmetic is brutal and simple. Netanyahu’s allied bloc sits at about 53 seats. Eisenkot’s “change bloc” of Zionist parties totals roughly 48. Arab-led lists together hold about 19 seats. That gives Eisenkot options — if he’s willing to court ultra-Orthodox parties (United Torah Judaism, Shas) or accept at least tacit support from Arab lists — and serious limits if he insists on every one of his conditions. Avigdor Liberman, who controls a pivotal 7-seat Yisrael Beiteinu, says he won’t tolerate a minority government that depends on Arab-party backing. He also wants the draft issue handled strictly — which puts him at odds with the Haredi demand for yeshiva exemptions. As Liberman put it bluntly: any minority government will quickly return Netanyahu to power. Translation: this is going to be messy and tactical maneuvering will be constant.
Why conservatives should be paying attention
Conservatives ought to watch this like hawks. A government cobbled together from half‑measures and uneasy truces won’t last. Reliance on Arab-party votes as a safety net is politically risky and morally unclear for anyone who believes Israel should be governed by parties committed to its Jewish and democratic character. At the same time, Eisenkot’s insistence on “service for all” is something conservatives can applaud — universal responsibility is sensible — but applause should be cautious until we see whether that principle survives the sausage-making. Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s camp isn’t defeated; it’s compact and disciplined. Expect more maneuvering in the Knesset — and maybe a few theatrical stunts — before clarity arrives.
What to watch next
The immediate things to watch: whether Eisenkot can bridge the Haredi draft divide without betraying his core pledge; whether Liberman signs on to a Zionist majority without Arab buy-in; and whether the Knesset speaker vote and committee assignments give Eisenkot’s bloc enough muscle to steer the legislative agenda while talks continue. President Herzog can extend or reassign the mandate if needed, so the clock isn’t the only pressure. Bottom line: this is a high-stakes chess match, not a popularity contest. Conservatives should hope for stability, accountability and a clear majority that defends Israel’s identity — not fragile deals that collapse at the first real test.
