The key facts

  • Lieberman will take the post of chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee from Monday, November 16
  • He called the appointment a 'first step' toward forming a government with a stable coalition majority
  • President Herzog tasked Eisenkot with forming the government: 67 recommendations versus 46 for Netanyahu

Appointment amid coalition talks

Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman said on Friday that he will officially head the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Monday, November 16. On the social network X, he called this decision a 'first step' toward forming 'a good government with a stable coalition majority that will lead Israel into a new era.' According to him, the committee oversees the security services and serves as 'a protection against military actions undertaken for political purposes.'

Election context and Eisenkot's mandate

The appointment comes amid efforts to form a government after the parliamentary elections on October 27. Earlier, on Sunday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog tasked Eisenkot with forming a cabinet, having received recommendations from 67 Knesset members versus 46 in favor of Netanyahu; seven lawmakers gave no recommendations. To win parliamentary confidence, Eisenkot needs the support of at least 61 of 120 members of parliament. Arab parties won 19 mandates in the elections — 11 for the Joint List and 8 for Ra'am — which gives their positions significant weight in the negotiations. At the same time, Lieberman ruled out supporting a minority government or a cabinet relying on Arab parties, but signaled readiness to negotiate with the ultra-Orthodox factions.