Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar Party and former IDF Chief of General Staff, delivers a speech at the party headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israel, on October 28, 2026. [Nir Keidar – Anadolu Agency]
Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot pledged Wednesday to strengthen relations with the US under President Donald Trump and form a new government following last week’s parliamentary elections, Anadolu reports.
Eisenkot, who leads the Yashar party, said in a statement on US social media company X that efforts were underway to establish a national emergency government as soon as possible.
“Our democracy remains strong and vibrant. We are working to fulfill the will of the Israeli people by forming a new government as soon as possible – a national emergency government,” he said.
The former Israeli military chief pledged to introduce new leadership that would serve all Israelis and uphold liberal values and equality.
He described the relations with the US as a partnership extending beyond governments, built on shared democratic values and security interests.
“Under my leadership, we will renew and deepen that partnership, strengthen the bipartisan foundations that have long sustained it,” he said.
Eisenkot also pledged to work with Washington and regional allies to promote security, economic cooperation and regional stability.
“I look forward to working closely and constructively with President Trump and his administration, whose friendship and commitment to Israel we deeply value,” he added.
He said Israel would remain one of Washington’s most reliable strategic partners in the Middle East.
The remarks came one day after Israeli opposition leaders agreed to recommend Eisenkot to President Isaac Herzog to form the next government to avoid another election.
The agreement was reached by Eisenkot, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, opposition leader Yair Lapid, Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman and Democrats leader Yair Golan.
The leaders also agreed to begin coalition negotiations and work toward establishing a national emergency government.
Israel’s Oct. 27 parliamentary elections left Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc with 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, short of the 61 required for a majority.
Opposition parties secured 48 seats, while Arab parties won 19, potentially giving Netanyahu’s opponents enough parliamentary support to recommend Eisenkot for prime minister.
Differences remain, however, among opposition parties on forming a coalition that would depend on support from Arab lawmakers.
Under Israel’s parliamentary system, the president consults parliamentary parties before assigning a lawmaker to form a government.
The newly elected Knesset is scheduled to convene Nov. 10.
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