Israeli Opposition Secures Majority to Form Government
Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot secured 67 parliamentary recommendations on Thursday to form a government, surpassing the 61 needed to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who received 46 with 7 abstentions. President Isaac Herzog, who must select the candidate to lead coalition talks, delayed his decision until Sunday, citing unclear capacity due to mutual vetoes between blocs. Arab parties, including the United List and Ra'am, backed Eisenkot, while ultra-Orthodox ally JUT abstained. Herzog is reportedly pushing for a unity government excluding Arab and ultra-Orthodox parties, though nationalist opposition member Avigdor Liberman rejects Arab support. Netanyahu's bloc holds 53 seats versus 48 for the opposition, with new elections possible if negotiations fail.