Liberman met Eisenkot and withheld backing for prime minister nominee
Published · Updated
What happened
The Jerusalem Post reported on November 2 that Avigdor Liberman met Gadi Eisenkot on November 1 and declined to commit to recommending him for prime minister, while seeking to install Oded Forer as Knesset speaker.
Why it matters
A recommendation decision by Liberman can affect whether a rival bloc can assemble enough support to shape the first parliamentary moves after the election, including the speakership and agenda control. Control of the speakership can influence committee assignments, legislative sequencing, and coalition bargaining in the opening phase.
Israeli media reported that Avigdor Liberman met Gadi Eisenkot on November 1 but did not commit to recommending him for prime minister. The same reporting said Liberman pressed for Yisrael Beiteinu MK Oded Forer to become Knesset speaker. The immediate issue is whether the anti-Netanyahu bloc can translate seat arithmetic into control of the Knesset agenda and then into a viable governing coalition.
Watch for
President Isaac Herzog's consultations schedule and any public recommendation tally released on or after 2026-11-02 Yisrael Beiteinu announcement on whether it will formally back Gadi Eisenkot for prime minister on 2026-11-02 or 2026-11-03 Knesset Secretariat notice of a vote to elect a Knesset speaker on or after 2026-11-02 Public statement by Gadi Eisenkot or his party on accepting Oded Forer for speaker in a bloc agreement on 2026-11-02 or 2026-11-03
Sources
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