Liberman meets with Eisenkot - and refuses to commit to recommending him for prime minister

Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Liberman met with Yashar chairman Gadi Eisenkot but refused to commit to recommending him for prime minister. Liberman demands that Oded Forer be appointed Knesset speaker, a move expected to face opposition from the Arab factions and concern within the change bloc.

Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Liberman met yesterday (Sunday) with Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot but refused to commit to recommending him to the president for the position of prime minister. The day before, Liberman met with opposition leader Yair Lapid. Liberman's demand to appoint MK Oded Forer from his party as Knesset speaker on behalf of the bloc presents a dilemma: the Arab factions are expected to oppose it, and the bloc fears that opposition will lead Liberman to torpedo any other candidate. Last night it was reported that associates of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conveyed a message to Eisenkot that negotiations for a unity government would not take place if Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana is replaced. Conversely, Eisenkot's associates said that replacing Ohana would proceed as planned. President Isaac Herzog called on party leaders "to stop climbing the trees and prevent another election."