Gadi Eisenkot is the bereaved general trying to outmaneuver Netanyahu

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1. 2h ago

   Israel Faces Coalition Deadlock as Eisenkot Seeks to Oust Netanyahu

   Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains in office without a majority following an election deadlock, leaving general Gadi Eisenkot and opposition leaders attempting to form a new government. Eisenkot has outlined four principles for members of the Knesset seeking to join his coalition and vowed to swiftly utilize a Knesset majority against the current government. Meanwhile, thousands of protesters have rallied in Tel Aviv demanding a Jewish-Arab government and an Eisenkot-Arab deal to remove Netanyahu from power. Opposition parties remain divided over whether to ally with Arab-led parties to secure a government or face another election.

   Why it matters

   The ongoing coalition crisis follows recent election results that left Netanyahu without a clear majority and deepened political divisions in Israel. Opposition leaders have backed Eisenkot to challenge Netanyahu, setting up high-stakes consultations at the President's Residence. As lawmakers handle the deadlock, public pressure has intensified with large street demonstrations in Tel Aviv urging cooperation with Arab-led factions.

   What is confirmed

   • Netanyahu remains in office without a majority, while Eisenkot must overcome opposition divisions to form a government or face another election.
   • Israel's opposition leaders are backing Eisenkot to oust Netanyahu, though they remain split over whether to ally with Arab-led parties.
   • Protesters marched through Tel Aviv demanding a Jewish-Arab government and urging an Eisenkot-Arab deal to remove Netanyahu.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The opposition bloc is reportedly weighing direct prime ministerial elections to break the political deadlock.

   What to watch next

   • Consultations at the President's Residence
   • Decisions by opposition parties on allying with Arab-led factions
   • Potential moves to initiate direct prime ministerial elections
   Sources used for this update (19)

   1. Reuters — Netanyahu, at risk of losing power, steps up attacks on Israel's Arab parties
   2. The New York Times — An Arab Town in Israel Celebrates the Election but Wonders What Will Change
   3. The New York Times — ‘We’ve Seen This Movie’: Four Writers on What’s Next for Israel
   4. The Atlantic — Tel Aviv’s Last Stand
   5. CNN — Israel election results: How to break the deadlock
   6. The Washington Post — Gadi Eisenkot is the bereaved general trying to outmaneuver Netanyahu
   7. The Jerusalem Post — Benjamin Netanyahu vs Gadi Eisenkot: Israel's coalition deadlock explained
   8. www.jpost.com — Benjamin Netanyahu vs Gadi Eisenkot: Israel's coalition ...
   9. Al Jazeera — Israel voted for Israel: Why Gaza wasn’t on the ballot
   10. The Times of Israel — Opposition bloc said weighing direct PM elections to break political deadlock
   11. The Jerusalem Post — What are we for? The question Israel's political opposition can no longer avoid - opinion
   12. The Times of Israel — Hundreds rally in Tel Aviv to demand a Jewish-Arab government; counterprotest also expected
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