Israel faces a defining political moment as Gadi Eisenkot attempts to assemble a new governing coalition. His four principles offer a framework for national renewal, but the arithmetic of the Knesset, ideological divisions and the question of Arab political participation threaten to complicate his ambitions.

Israel’s political landscape has entered another critical period. Following the October 27, 2026 general election, the country faces a familiar but increasingly urgent question: who can assemble a government capable of governing effectively, restoring public confidence and addressing the deep divisions within Israeli society?

At the centre of this political contest stands Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party and former Israel Defense Forces chief of staff. Having campaigned on a promise to change the country’s political direction, Eisenkot now faces the difficult task of translating electoral support into a functioning parliamentary majority.

His approach is based on four principles which he says should form the foundation of any government he leads. He has declared that any member of the Knesset willing to accept these principles could become a potential partner.

It is an ambitious attempt to move beyond traditional political divisions. But the question remains whether the principles can provide a sufficiently broad basis for government without forcing Eisenkot and his prospective partners to abandon commitments made to voters during the election campaign.

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The election arithmetic presents the first obstacle

Israel’s parliamentary system makes coalition-building essential. The Knesset has 120 members, meaning that a government generally needs the support of at least 61 legislators to command a majority.

The election results have produced a complicated situation.

Eisenkot’s Yashar party secured 21 seats, while the wider opposition bloc aligned against Benjamin Netanyahu won 48. Netanyahu’s Likud secured 27 seats, and his supporting political bloc reached 53.

The Arab parties won a combined 19 seats.

Neither principal political bloc has an outright majority.

This means that Eisenkot must find additional parliamentary support if he is to become prime minister and establish a stable administration.

The obvious mathematical possibility is cooperation with Arab parties. Together, the opposition bloc and the Arab parties could potentially command 67 seats.

However, political arithmetic is not the same as political agreement.

Several parties within Eisenkot’s prospective coalition have made strong campaign commitments against forming a government with Arab parties. Avigdor Liberman, leader of Yisrael Beytenu, has particularly clear reservations.

Eisenkot must therefore find a way to reconcile the parliamentary numbers with the political promises made to his supporters.

Four principles for a new Israel

Eisenkot’s proposed coalition is built around four fundamental commitments.

The first is recognition of Israel as a Jewish, democratic, liberal and egalitarian state.

The second is a commitment to the values expressed in Israel’s Declaration of Independence. These include equality, freedom, justice and the aspiration to build a society in which citizens enjoy equal rights irrespective of religion, ethnicity or background.

The third principle concerns national service. Eisenkot wants military, national or civilian service to become a universal obligation for Israeli citizens.

The fourth is recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organisation and a commitment to eliminating its military and governing capabilities in Gaza.

These principles are intended to provide a common political foundation for a broad government.

Eisenkot argues that the next administration should not........

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