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● LIVE Updated 1h ago · 15 sources tracked

Liberman backs Eisenkot for PM, but rules out minority government with Arab support

Avigdor Liberman has pledged to recommend Gadi Eisenkot for prime minister and Yair Lapid for Knesset speaker. While uniting the Jewish opposition against Benjamin Netanyahu, Liberman explicitly ruled out forming a minority government reliant on Arab party support, asserting that a coalition can be formed without them. Liberman and Naftali Bennett, along with other bloc heads, have held their first post-election meeting to expedite the process and avoid another election. However, Liberman previously criticized Eisenkot in a tense meeting, accusing him of damaging the anti-Netanyahu bloc.

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⚡ Key Developments & Real-Time Context
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  • ✓ Avigdor Liberman will recommend Gadi Eisenkot for prime minister and Yair Lapid for Knesset speaker.
  • ✓ Naftali Bennett and the Democrats have also backed Gadi Eisenkot for prime minister.
  • ✓ Liberman stated that a minority government will not happen and that a government can be formed without Arab parties.
  • ✓ Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Liberman, and Golan held their first post-election meeting.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 15 independent reporting domains (95% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

Avigdor Liberman formally endorsed Gadi Eisenkot for prime minister while setting a condition against Arab-supported minority governments.

Live updates

  1. Liberman backs Eisenkot for PM, rejects Arab-supported minority government

    Avigdor Liberman has pledged to recommend Gadi Eisenkot for prime minister and Yair Lapid for Knesset speaker. While uniting the Jewish opposition against Benjamin Netanyahu, Liberman explicitly ruled out forming a minority government reliant on Arab party support, asserting that a coalition can be formed without them. Liberman and Naftali Bennett, along with other bloc heads, have held their first post-election meeting to expedite the process and avoid another election. However, Liberman previously criticized Eisenkot in a tense meeting, accusing him of damaging the anti-Netanyahu bloc.

    Why it matters

    The 2026 Israeli elections have left Gadi Eisenkot and Benjamin Netanyahu racing toward the 61-seat threshold required for a majority. This deadlock has forced opposition figures to consolidate their support to prevent Netanyahu from retaining power. The role of Haredi parties remains a critical factor in determining if Eisenkot can secure a viable coalition.

    What is confirmed

    • Avigdor Liberman will recommend Gadi Eisenkot for prime minister and Yair Lapid for Knesset speaker.
    • Naftali Bennett and the Democrats have also backed Gadi Eisenkot for prime minister.
    • Liberman stated that a minority government will not happen and that a government can be formed without Arab parties.
    • Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Liberman, and Golan held their first post-election meeting.
    • Eisenkot and Netanyahu are both racing to reach 61 Knesset seats.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Liberman berated Eisenkot in a tense meeting and accused him of damaging the anti-Netanyahu bloc.
    • Liberman blames Eisenkot for the election result.

    What to watch next

    • Whether Haredi parties agree to join an Eisenkot-led coalition
    • The official presidential mandate for government formation
    • Netanyahu's response to the unified Jewish opposition bloc
    Sources used for this update (23)
    1. www.timesofisrael.com — The Times of Israel | News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish ...
    2. consent.yahoo.com — Latest news and current events updates | Yahoo News Singapore
    3. www.jpost.com — The Jerusalem Post - All News from the Middle East, Israel, and...
    4. www.theguardian.com — AI godfather Geoffrey Hinton: ‘We’re creating alien beings. I’m willing to be selfish and choose humans’ | Donald Trump
    5. www.hindustantimes.com — Stock market today: S&P 500, Dow Jones, Nasdaq futures fall as US inflation hits 3.7% in September | Hindustan Times
    6. www.dailysabah.com — Saudi-led coalition thwarts wave of Houthi attacks on kingdom
    7. www.24newshd.tv — Toll in Nigeria gang attack rises to 62: emergency services
    8. The Jerusalem Post — Israel Election 2026 live updates: Eisenkot, Netanyahu race to 61 Knesset seats
    9. Ynetnews — Liberman berates Eisenkot in tense meeting, accuses him of damaging anti-Netanyahu bloc
    10. The Jerusalem Post — Avigdor Liberman backs Gadi Eisenkot for prime minister, Yair Lapid for Knesset speaker
    11. www.israelhayom.com — Liberman backs Eisenkot for prime minister, blames him for election result
    12. i24NEWS — Lieberman: “A minority government will not happen”; will recommend Eisenkot to form gov. rules out Netanyahu
    confidence 95%
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