Eisenkot: Opposition to push emergency govt, new Knesset speaker

Gadi Eisenkot, head of the Yesh Atid party, laid out the opposition bloc's action plan after leaders of the change-bloc parties met Tuesday morning, pledging to move quickly on two parallel tracks.

"This morning, the heads of the change and reform parties held a good and important meeting," Eisenkot said. "We are coordinated and ready for the coming days. We have two goals before us: the formation of a national emergency government, based on the four principles I presented, a Jewish, democratic and liberal State of Israel, the values of the Declaration of Independence, the duty of military, national and civil service, and recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization whose military and governing power must be destroyed."

Gadi Eisenkot's statement (Yesh Atid spokesperson)

According to Eisenkot, "the parties' negotiating teams will begin working as soon as possible on shared foundational principles and on carrying out the moves in the Knesset, electing a new Knesset speaker, important legislation, and repealing laws that endanger democracy."

Eisenkot pledged that "we will act as quickly as possible to prevent Israel from being dragged into another election and the continued entrenchment of Netanyahu in power. Remember: starting Tuesday, Benjamin Netanyahu is a transitional prime minister who enjoys the support of only forty-six Knesset members."

"The Likud and Netanyahu know that we are determined. That is why they continue to cast aspersions and sabotage the true results of the election. This is their last refuge," he continued in attack mode. "The coming days will be full of spin and false and ugly briefings."

"Tomorrow we will mark the secular anniversary of the murder of former Prime Minister and Chief of Staff Yitzchak Rabin zt"l. We will remember what we learned: in the face of violence, incitement and the erosion of the foundations of democracy, we will stand firm, without fear," he concluded. "Anyone who thinks they can intimidate the change, does not properly assess our determination and our commitment to the citizens of Israel and to the State of Israel. For their sake, we will act and we will succeed!"