Liberman backs Eisenkot for Israeli prime minister and Lapid for Knesset speaker, but rejects minority government

Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman said Monday that his party would recommend Gadi Eisenkot to form Israel’s next government and support Yair Lapid for Knesset speaker, as opposition parties seek a way out of the post-election deadlock.

Liberman said his priority was to establish a government quickly and avoid another election, but ruled out joining a minority government dependent on outside support from Arab parties.

He warned that such a government could collapse within a year and create a path for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to return to power.

Liberman also said he would not join a government led by Netanyahu.

His endorsement gives Eisenkot the backing of the Jewish-led opposition parties ahead of consultations with President Isaac Herzog over who should receive the mandate to form a coalition.

Israel’s October 27 election left Netanyahu’s bloc with 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, Eisenkot’s opposition bloc with 48 and the two Arab-led parties with 19, leaving no camp with a majority.

Liberman also backed Lapid to replace current Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana. Opposition parties are discussing an effort to elect a new speaker after the new Knesset is sworn in on November 10.