Eisenkot-Liberman Differences Surface Ahead of Israel’s New Government Formation

New Delhi, 09 November 2026 Efforts to form Israel’s next government are facing political challenges as disagreements within the proposed change bloc continue to complicate negotiations. Against this backdrop, Yashar chairman Gadi Eisenkot and Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman are scheduled to meet tomorrow to discuss their differences over government formation and coordinate their parliamentary strategy, according to Hebrew media reports. The meeting is set to take place a day before the newly elected Knesset is sworn in. Eisenkot is expected to receive the official mandate to form a government from President Isaac Herzog later today. He is also scheduled to meet B’Yachad chairman Naftali Bennett, who has so far maintained silence over the ongoing exchanges between Eisenkot and Liberman. The primary disagreement between Eisenkot and Liberman concerns the possible sources of parliamentary support for a new government. Liberman has categorically ruled out backing a minority government or any administration dependent on Arab-led parties, limiting Eisenkot’s options for securing the numbers needed to form a government. Meanwhile, Liberman has indicated his willingness to negotiate with ultra-Orthodox parties, marking a departure from his longstanding opposition to working with them. He has also suggested that some Likud lawmakers could leave Netanyahu’s political bloc. Liberman’s apparent change of position on the ultra-Orthodox issue has drawn criticism, with accusations that he is obstructing Eisenkot’s efforts to advance his own ambition of becoming prime minister. Liberman has denied these allegations. With the new Knesset set to begin its term, the upcoming meeting is expected to be significant in determining whether the two leaders can overcome their differences and agree on a common political strategy.