Jerusalem:Gadi Eisenkot's political faction successfully navigated its initial parliamentary challenges as the Knesset General Assembly approved the formation of the organizing committee. The first meeting of this committee was marked by intense arguments and a series of insults exchanged between Knesset members, culminating in the removal of MK Tali Gottlieb from the session.
According to Maan News Agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed that forming a unity government remains possible, despite his recent speech, which garnered significant criticism. Netanyahu emphasized the importance of national unity during challenging times, stating, "This nation knows how to unite in moments of trial."
The Knesset General Assembly's approval of the organizing committee came via a proposal from its chairman, Roy Folkman, which passed with a majority of 63 members against 50 in opposition, including members from Arab parties. The committee comprises 22 members, with representation allocated based on one seat for every five Knesset members. This includes members from various political parties such as Likud, Yeshar, Ma'an, the Joint List, the Democratic Party, and others.
During the initial meeting, tensions rose when new Likud Knesset member Erez Tadmor was accused of being a "weapons thief," referencing his military service conviction. His remarks towards members of the opposition sparked further chaos and allegations of misogynistic behavior. Tadmor's comments aligned with the Likud political campaign, urging unity while accusing opposition members of alliances with terrorism supporters.
The meeting concluded with the approval of the chairmanships for key committees. Avigdor Lieberman from Yisrael Beiteinu will lead the Foreign Affairs and Security Committee, while Liran Avishar Ben-Horin from the Together party will head the Finance Committee. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for a mutual agreement between Netanyahu and Eisenkot, opposing any coalition reliant on Arab party votes.
Netanyahu's recent speeches have focused on unity and criticized Arab party negotiations, leading to the cancellation of a scheduled meeting between Eisenkot and Likud representatives. Netanyahu continues to advocate for a unity government without abandoning his current political allies, emphasizing the necessity of including all national camp parties, including ultra-Orthodox factions, in any future government coalition.