Democrats' Golan meets Eisenkot, opposition heads as leaders weigh path to coalition

Yair Golan, leader of the Democrats party, engaged in discussions with opposition bloc members Thursday, aiming to form a coalition as neither side secured the 61 seats needed for a majority in the Knesset. The talks came after Golan called for the opposition to unite with Arab parties, following a projected combined total of 19 seats for the Joint List and Ra'am.

Golan met with Ra'am chairman Mansour Abbas. Following the meeting, Golan and the Democrats assured their commitment to swiftly and decisively establish a government of repair and rescue for Israel, acknowledging the scale of the responsibility. Golan also met separately with Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot, whose party garnered the most seats in the opposition bloc.

Both Golan and Eisenkot discussed ways to establish a good government in Israel as quickly as possible. Golan emphasized his determination to seize the historic opportunity for change and secure Israel's future as a Jewish and democratic state. All other opposition party leaders, including Eisenkot, Bennett, and Avigdor Liberman, ruled out Arab parties as coalition partners, citing the 2023 Hamas attacks as a reason.

The political deadlock could result in another election or a unity government, or a minority government. Golan noted that both he and Eisenkot have dedicated years to Israel's security and understand the immense responsibility now resting on their shoulders.