Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot says Israel has chosen “change” after Benjamin Netanyahu, and he is seeking to form a new government. Multiple outlets report that Eisenkot made the comments early Wednesday, positioning himself as an alternative to continue governing after the election.
Alongside his bid to build support for coalition talks, Eisenkot also issues warnings to Netanyahu. Coverage highlights that he cautions against using Israel’s security for political purposes, and several reports frame this as a response to Netanyahu’s threats of possible strikes on Iran that could affect coalition negotiations. Eisenkot also says he does not want a second election.
The outlets broadly agree on Eisenkot’s main messages—his claim that voters want change, his intention to seek government formation, his warning regarding security actions tied to politics, and his view on avoiding re-election. Differences are limited to emphasis and the inclusion or omission of specific points, such as the election-rerun stance and the details of his security-related warning.
