Herzog may push Netanyahu–Eisenkot govt after election

Could Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot find themselves serving in the same government after the upcoming election?

According to a report by Yael Shapira on Kan 11, sources in the Change bloc believe President Isaac Herzog is preparing for a political stalemate and may attempt to advance a joint government between the two men if the election produces no clear winner.

The report states that Herzog has already conveyed messages to party leaders, asking them to work toward restraining the political discourse.

Sources close to the president clarify that Herzog wants to prevent Israel from being dragged into another round of elections, and that several options exist for dealing with a scenario of political deadlock.

President's office denies: "Has not discussed unity government"

Despite the assessments in the Change bloc, the President's Residence rejects the claim that Herzog is already promoting a specific government formation.

"The president has not discussed a unity government with any candidate or Knesset member," the President's Residence said in response to the report.

The statement further emphasized that "the president is not dealing at this stage with any government formation, and all of this will be discussed in the consultations that will take place at the President's Residence after receiving the election results."