Netanyahu opens talks with rivals in bid to cling to power

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's party initiated discussions with its main opposition, led by former army general Gadi Eisenkot, on Sunday in a bid to form a unity government. The talks took place in a professional setting, with both sides expressing openness to continued dialogue. However, neither Eisenkot's bloc nor Netanyahu's Likud party managed to secure a majority in the 120-member Knesset, making a clear path to government formation difficult.

President Isaac Herzog had previously named Eisenkot to attempt forming a government. Netanyahu's party has been lobbying for a national unity government that can counter the threat of Iran. In a recent statement, Netanyahu urged Israel to enter negotiations without preconditions, setting aside disagreements and reaching agreements for national security and the nation's future. Eisenkot has maintained that Netanyahu is an outgoing prime minister but suggested Likud could join a government under his leadership.

The pro-Eisenkot parties would have a majority if the Arab parties, which garnered 19 seats, agreed to support them. However, former defense minister Avigdor Lieberman, a key figure in Eisenkot's camp, has said he would not support such an arrangement. Netanyahu and Eisenkot have also discussed the possibility of a rotation in power, with each holding a four-year term. This idea has been previously implemented in a 2021 deal involving Netanyahu's rivals, Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid.