Eisenkot Reportedly Seeks Review of Government Based on Ra’am and UTJ Abstentions

Yashar chairman Gadi Eisenkot has reportedly authorized his team to examine forming a government enabled by abstentions from United Torah Judaism and Ra'am. The instruction was disclosed on Sunday, November 1, as parties consider their options after the election. The reported initiative concerns testing a possible parliamentary arrangement, rather than an agreement already reached. Yashar declined to discuss activity behind closed doors and qualified the account. The party said: "The various reports are not on our behalf and do not necessarily describe reality as it is." Its response leaves the details of the reported examination unconfirmed by Eisenkot's party. Under the scenario being examined, United Torah Judaism could initially provide an external parliamentary safety net while legislation governing yeshiva students' military service is addressed, then enter the government at a later stage. The report describes Eisenkot's bloc as unwilling to negotiate with the Joint List, while assuming that it would not vote against the proposed government. Those positions are elements of the reported scenario, rather than commitments from the parties involved. The initiative faces resistance within Eisenkot's bloc. Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman has rejected direct or indirect reliance on Arab and Haredi parties. Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas, meanwhile, wants his party to be part of the coalition. The reported examination could also serve as leverage in talks over a unity government with Benjamin Netanyahu. President Isaac Herzog is expected to begin consultations with party leaders on Wednesday, November 4. The parties have yet to settle the governing arrangement described in the report.