After Yisrael Beitenu party leader Avigdor Lieberman’s threat to Gadi Eisenkot that he would take his seven seats out of a coalition, thus undermining Eisenkot’s majority to govern, if Eisenkot engaged in any sort of collaboration with either Israeli Arab party, Eisenkot issued a lengthy post reasserting the upper hand over Lieberman. His lengthy post read, in part:

“Israel is in a state of genuine, tangible and dangerous emergency. The current government poses a fundamental threat to the very existence of Israeli democracy—nothing less. This is occurring while war fronts remain active, yet are themselves subject to political and personal whims. Israel is already in the midst of a dangerous diplomatic tsunami. Against this backdrop, over the past few days, I have been advancing a plan with my partners to form a national emergency government.” He said that he was working to swear in a new government as soon as possible, whose foundation will be the four Jewish-led opposition parties—Yashar (21 seats), B’Yachad (12 seats), The Democrats (8 seats), and Yisrael Beitenu (7 seats). Then he reiterated:

“Any other party or MK who agrees to my four core principles will be invited to join—whether immediately or at a later stage."” He listed the four:

1. Recognition of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. 2. Acceptance of the values ​​of the Declaration of Independence. 3. Mandatory service for all—whether military, national, or civilian service—to strengthen the IDF and expand its ranks. 4. Recognition of Hamas as a terror organization and a commitment to dismantling its military and governing power."”

Importantly, the Times of Israel pointed out, “Eisenkot notably appears to have slightly altered the fourth principle regarding Hamas, using the word ‘dismantling,’ rather than ‘destruction’ of its military and governing power. This potentially leaves open the door to diplomatic solutions for Gaza, rather than military ones, which the Arab-led Ra’am party may have an easier time accepting.” The Arab parties, in talking with Herzog over the last 48 hours, have also offered slight word changes to narrow any differences.

Otherwise, Eisenkot stated that it is the duty of Israel’s elected officials to prevent another round of elections, while also preventing Netanyahu from remaining in power. The costs of Netanyahu clinging to the premiership “have become even more starkly apparent in recent days.” He added that his team has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to form a new government. “We have made significant progress and achieved a breakthrough—working quietly and modestly, with much of our activity remaining out of the public eye. When there is something to report, I will update you myself—looking you, the citizens of Israel, straight in the eyes.”

He concluded: “Citizens of Israel… both those who voted for me and those who did not, Israel is in a state of emergency. We must steady the ship and bring Israel back to safe shores.” He pledged to act responsibly with the mandate Herzog is expected to give him on Sunday to form a new government. “Anyone who attempts to undermine or sabotage the formation of this government for personal rather than substantive reasons will go down in history as someone who failed to rise to the gravity of the hour and failed to act to save Israel during a time of emergency. Such an act will not be forgiven.”