Electoral race for PM’s post in Israel begins:Deadlock witnessed over Arab parties’ support; Prez urges to drop some conditions to form govt

The formation of a new government in Israel is gradually becoming clearer. After two days of talks with President Isaac Herzog, opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has secured the support of 56 lawmakers to become prime minister. Meanwhile, 46 lawmakers have recommended incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The religious party United Torah Judaism (UTJ) has not backed either candidate. This has increased Netanyahu’s difficulties. President Herzog has told all parties that if they want to prevent the country from going to the polls again, they will have to abandon some of their demands and promises. In fact, no alliance won a majority in the election held on 27 October. Efforts are now under way to bring different parties together to form a government. Four opposition leaders unite to remove Netanyahu On 3 November, after the election, four prominent leaders opposed to Netanyahu held a meeting in Herzliya. They included Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Yair Lapid and Yair Golan. The leaders agreed to work together to remove Netanyahu from power and immediately begin talks on forming a government. At the meeting, the leaders proposed forming a national emergency government. Four basic principles were set for this. However, these leaders have only 48 seats between them. They need at least 13 more lawmakers to secure a majority. They will therefore have to seek the support of Arab or other parties. This is the biggest political challenge facing them. Who supported whom at the President’s meeting? In support of Netanyahu: The religious right-wing parties Shas and Religious Zionism recommended giving Netanyahu another opportunity to form the government. The Jihut Party also supported him. In support of Eisenkot: Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu party supported Eisenkot. Ra’am Party’s support: The Arab Ra’am party also recommended giving Eisenkot an opportunity to form the government. With the support of its eight MPs, the number of recommendations in Eisenkot’s favour rose to 56. UTJ did not offer support: The Degel HaTorah faction of United Torah Judaism refused to support either candidate. It has four MPs. The party’s religious leaders made the decision. Opposition divided over support from Arab parties Eisenkot’s biggest challenge is securing the support of the Arab parties. The Arab parties hold a total of 19 seats in Israel’s parliament. Mansour Abbas’s Ra’am party has eight of these seats, while the Joint List has 11. Ra’am has backed Eisenkot, but the Joint List has not yet made clear whether it will support him. If both Arab parties side with Eisenkot, the opposition could find itself in a much stronger position. However, opposition parties do not agree on the issue. Avigdor Lieberman, the leader of Yisrael Beiteinu, opposes forming a government with the Arab parties. He also supports making military service compulsory for all citizens. This leaves Eisenkot facing a twofold difficulty. Seeking the Arab parties’ support could anger some of his Jewish allies. But without their support, securing a majority will also be difficult. One option could be for opposition parties to form the government, with Arab parties supporting it from outside. This would mean they would not join the government but would vote in its favour in Parliament when necessary or abstain from voting. However, not all opposition parties agree to this arrangement. Religious parties’ demands could create a deadlock Religious parties also have an important role to play in efforts to form the government. In particular, the stance of United Torah Judaism (UTJ) could increase the difficulties facing both Netanyahu and the opposition. UTJ has seven seats. The party is divided into two factions. Degel HaTorah has four seats and Agudat Yisrael has three. Degel HaTorah has not backed any candidate for prime minister. UTJ has long been an ally of Netanyahu, but it is unhappy with him this time. The main reason is the law exempting Jewish young people studying at religious educational institutions from compulsory military service. Netanyahu’s previous government was unable to pass the law. UTJ wants the next government to enact legislation exempting young people studying at religious institutions from military service. This demand also creates difficulties for Eisenkot. Opposition leaders have called for compulsory military service for all citizens. If Eisenkot accepts the religious parties’ demand, he could face opposition from his own allies. Government must be formed within 42 days, Parliament to meet on 10 November In Israel, the president’s office is generally considered ceremonial, but the president plays an important role in forming a government after an election. The president invites the leader with the best chance of securing a majority in parliament to form the government. The president is not obliged to choose the leader who receives the most recommendations. Once given the opportunity to form a government, the leader concerned is given 28 days. If a government cannot be formed during this period, the president may grant an additional 14 days. This means the attempt to form a government must be completed within a total of 42 days. The first meeting of Israel’s new parliament is expected to take place on 10 November. If Eisenkot or Netanyahu fails to form a government within the stipulated time, the president may give another leader the opportunity. If all attempts fail, the way may be opened for fresh elections.