Eisenkot Israeli Government: Launches October 7 Security Investigation

• Gadi Eisenkot has been mandated to form Israel's next government following the new Knesset's convening.
• A key priority for Eisenkot's allies is establishing a commission to investigate security failures leading to the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.
• Matan Kahana is set to become the new Knesset speaker with support from Arab-Israeli lawmakers.
• Avigdor Liberman will chair the foreign affairs and defense committee and plans to investigate foreign funding allegations against Arab-Israeli parties.
• Significant political tensions persist regarding the role of Arab-Israeli parties in government formation and accusations against Benjamin Netanyahu.

A primary objective for Eisenkot's allies is the establishment of a commission dedicated to investigating the security failures that preceded the devastating Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

Israel's political landscape is undergoing a significant shift as the newly elected Knesset convened, immediately setting its sights on caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. President Isaac Herzog officially tasked Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar ("Straight") Party, with forming the next government on Sunday, November 8, 2026. Eisenkot, a 66-year-old former military chief who recently transitioned into politics, has pledged to swiftly assemble a national-emergency government to navigate the country's complex challenges.

The new parliamentary session opened with a call for unity from President Herzog, who emphasized the need to avoid another election in a nation weary from three years of conflict and deep polarization. Herzog highlighted that nearly 80% of the populace participated in the recent polls, urging elected officials to prioritize compromise. Eisenkot's political bloc, which spans from the left to the right of the political spectrum, is poised to control the legislative agenda, benefiting from the support of Israeli-Arab parties. However, neither Eisenkot nor Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, commands an outright majority independently.

A primary objective for Eisenkot's allies is the establishment of a commission dedicated to investigating the security failures that preceded the devastating Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. This Knesset October 7 inquiry aims to scrutinize the circumstances under the previous administration that allowed for what has been described as the deadliest day in Israel's history. The proposed Eisenkot Israeli government security investigation signals a clear intent to hold past leadership accountable for perceived lapses.

This push for a thorough Netanyahu security failures investigation is a central pillar of the new political alignment. Furthermore, Avigdor Liberman, a prominent right-wing member of Eisenkot's bloc, who is slated to chair the foreign affairs and defense committee, has indicated his intention to probe allegations of foreign funding directed towards Arab-Israeli parties. Liberman, a former aide to Netanyahu who has become a vocal critic, shares hawkish views and views such an investigation as crucial.

The path to Gadi Eisenkot government formation is not without significant hurdles, as he faces a 28-day deadline, with a potential 14-day extension, to forge a coalition. Even before the Knesset's inaugural session, Eisenkot's party announced agreements on key appointments designed to replace allies of the long-serving Netanyahu. Among these, the bloc has secured the necessary votes to install Matan Kahana, another former senior military figure known for past clashes with ultra-Orthodox Jews, as the new Matan Kahana Knesset speaker.

The support of Arab-Israeli lawmakers is crucial for Kahana's ascension to the speakership, effectively guaranteeing his position. These parties, representing the Arab minority, achieved a record number of seats in the October 27 election, largely fueled by public discontent with Netanyahu's hard-right government. However, the coalition's stability faces challenges, particularly from Liberman, who has explicitly stated his refusal to join any government that relies on Arab-Israelis, even if their support is external. Liberman warned that a minority government would inevitably lead to Netanyahu's return with a stronger parliamentary presence. Mansour Abbas, leader of the Israeli-Arab party Raam, countered Netanyahu's accusations of fraud against Arab-Israeli parties, highlighting the corruption charges Netanyahu himself faces, which could result in imprisonment if he loses power. Abbas affirmed the commitment to "keep up the process of replacing the government."

This article primarily reports on political developments in Israel, specifically the formation of a new government and its stated priorities, such as investigating past security failures. It does not present any direct actionable legal or compliance implications, new regulations, or specific legal precedents for lawyers or compliance officers.

Source: Original reporting via news agency dispatches.