Israeli Opposition Leader Eisenkot Reports Progress in Emergency Government Talks

Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot announced Friday significant progress in negotiations to form a national emergency government, hoping to receive the mandate to form the next government early next week. He urged a rapid power transfer to prevent outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from remaining in office. Eisenkot said 74 of the Knesset's 120 lawmakers have expressed no confidence in Netanyahu, against 46 who continue to support him. His team conducted dozens of hours of negotiations with opposition parties, reporting "significant advances and breakthroughs" toward forming an emergency coalition. The proposed government would rest on four principles: recognizing Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, upholding the Declaration of Independence, imposing mandatory military or national service, and recognizing Hamas as a terrorist organization. President Isaac Herzog will decide Sunday which lawmaker will be tasked with forming the government, following consultations where 67 lawmakers recommended Eisenkot against 46 for Netanyahu.