The Democrats chairman Yair Golan met with members of the opposition bloc seeking to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday.
After the meetings, they expressed their commitment to “working swiftly and decisively to establish a government of ‘repair and rescue’ for Israel, recognizing the scale of the responsibility and the opportunity created by the election results,” The Democrats said.
Neither bloc secured the 61 seats needed to form a Knesset majority, leaving no clear path to forming a coalition.
The meetings came after Golan called on Wednesday for the opposition to form a coalition with the Arab parties, following a record-high number of seats projected for the Joint List and Ra’am.
Golan earlier met with Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot, whose party won the largest number of seats in the opposition bloc.
Eisenkot met separately on Thursday with B’Yachad chairman Naftali Bennett and said they had “discussed ways to establish a good government in Israel as quickly as possible.”
Earlier, Golan had met with opposition leader Yair Lapid, No. 2 on the B’Yachad list.
Eisenkot and Golan discussed the election results and their “shared commitment to implementing the voters’ will as quickly as possible,” Yashar said.
Golan determined to do 'whatever is necessary'
Golan said he was determined to do “whatever is necessary, with courage and responsibility, to seize this historic opportunity for change and secure Israel’s future as a Jewish and democratic state.”
The other opposition party leaders – Eisenkot, Bennett, and Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman – had drawn a redline to Arab parties being part of the government, saying they are not viable coalition partners after the October 7 massacre in 2023.
The political deadlock could ultimately lead to another election, although the parties may still reach an agreement through coalition negotiations. Other possible outcomes include a unity government among Netanyahu and members of Eisenkot’s bloc, or the formation of a minority government.
After his meeting with Eisenkot, Golan said they had both “dedicated many years to Israel’s security, and we both understand the immense responsibility that now rests on our shoulders. Israel’s future is at stake. We share a common path and a commitment to ensuring a better future for Israel.”
Lapid said he and Golan had met to “coordinate their next steps.”
Notably, Bennett was not part of the meeting, according to the statement and picture that were published after the meeting.
Golan said he was “determined to make every effort, turn over every stone, and act with all our partners to save Israel.”
“We will continue to work in coordination,” he said. “We will not give up on the opportunity for change.”
Liberman restates will not join with coalition with Arab parties
Liberman on Thursday reiterated that he would not sit with the Arab parties or Netanyahu.
"The only coalition we would consider is one made up exclusively of Zionist parties, including Likud without Bibi [Benjamin Netanyahu],” he said.
According to the final vote count, Netanyahu’s bloc maintained its lead with 53 seats in the next Knesset, while the opposition bloc won 48, and the Arab parties 19, the Central Elections Committee reported Thursday.
Likud received 27 seats, making it once again the largest party in the Knesset.