Eisenkot's Yashar and Likud Hold First Coalition Talks

Negotiators from Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party and the Likud were expected to sit down for their first round of coalition talks on Sunday, November 15. The meeting comes as Eisenkot enters the second week of his mandate to form a government, and follows an earlier attempt to bring the two sides together that never took place.

Ahead of the meeting, Yashar named its negotiating team as MK Chili Tropper and Yoav Horowitz. Likud is expected to be represented by MK Ophir Katz and Michael Rabillo.

Along with the names of its team, Eisenkot's party sent Likud an additional request. "Yashar! With Eisenkot invites the Likud to also include MK Elisha Madan in the meeting," the party said.

The request comes as the question of who will serve as the next Knesset speaker has become a central issue in the talks. Eisenkot is seeking Likud's backing for MK Matan Kahana for the post. Yashar did not explain why it asked for Madan in particular to join the meeting.

The two parties are also divided over the shape of a possible government and who would lead it. Eisenkot wants to head a government that does not include Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. According to Srugim, if the sides agree to a rotation arrangement for the premiership, Yashar is expected to insist that Eisenkot serve first.

Likud takes a different view. The party is demanding that Netanyahu serve first as prime minister under any rotation deal, arguing that this reflects Likud's position as the largest party in the Knesset.

Likud has also said it is willing to form a government with parties from across the political spectrum, but it has made clear that this does not extend to the Arab parties.

The meeting follows a period of exchanged messages and mutual accusations between the two parties. Although they have agreed to open direct talks, no agreement has yet been reached on any of the main issues.

It remains unclear whether the first meeting will lead to further negotiations, and whether Likud will accept Yashar's invitation to bring Madan into the talks.