Netanyahu open to alliance with Eisenkot as Israel faces political deadlock: Report

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has kept open the possibility of forming a coalition government with Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot, despite publicly dismissing the prospect of a unity government, Israeli media outlet i24 News reported on Monday.

Sources close to Netanyahu's Likud party told the Israeli media outlet that the prime minister was keeping his options open, adding that they were "examining every option".

According to the sources, Netanyahu is concerned that Eisenkot could join hands with Arab-led parties and ultra-Orthodox factions to form an alternative coalition and oust him from power.

The possibility of such an alliance comes amid political uncertainty following Israel's October 27 parliamentary elections, in which Netanyahu's bloc fell short of securing a majority in the 120-member Knesset.

Netanyahu's bloc fails to secure majority

The alliance of parties supporting Netanyahu won 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, a decline from the 68 seats it held in the outgoing parliament. Meanwhile, the opposition alliance led by Eisenkot secured 48 seats, while Arab-led parties won the remaining 19 seats.

The combined strength of the opposition and Arab-led parties gives them enough seats to potentially form a government. However, it remains unclear whether the parties can overcome their differences and reach a consensus on a coalition arrangement.

Netanyahu has indicated that any attempt by Eisenkot to join forces with Arab parties would constitute treason. His remarks have triggered criticism from opposition leaders, who accuse him of attempting to block efforts to establish an alternative government.

A few dozen demonstrators gathered outside Eisenkot's residence on Sunday to protest against the possibility of a coalition government involving Arab-led parties. Meanwhile, other protests held in recent days have advocated the formation of a Jewish-Arab coalition.

Netanyahu faces scrutiny over election results

The coalition negotiations have coincided with a controversy over the election outcome, with Netanyahu's Likud party raising questions about the conduct of the polls. However, the party has not provided any evidence to establish that the alleged irregularities influenced the results.

Likud has pointed to several incidents involving suspected attempts to bribe voters. Three political activists were arrested before polling began on October 27 after police reportedly found them carrying envelopes containing cash.

Two days later, four additional suspects were arrested over their alleged links to the Islamist Ra'am party, which has denied any involvement in the matter.

On Sunday, a judge declined to grant some of the additional restrictions sought by police against the three initially arrested suspects. One was released under certain conditions, another was placed under house arrest for eight days, while the detention of the third suspect was extended by two days.

Allegations of possible foreign interference have also led Israel's Shin Bet security agency to launch an investigation at the request of the election committee.

However, election committee chief and Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg said that even if the suspicions were established, they would not compromise the integrity of the electoral process or invalidate the overall results.

Eisenkot accused Netanyahu of orchestrating a coordinated effort to discredit the election outcome, including by alleging that Qatar had supported opposition parties. Qatar has denied financing any activities aimed at influencing the vote.