Two Years in Power, Then the Presidency? Behind the Scenes of Netanyahu's 'Survival Deal'

Benjamin Netanyahu may leave the Israeli premiership without exiting the political scene. This is the possibility raised by a concept reported by "Walla" from an opposition source: two additional years as Prime Minister, followed by making way for Gadi Eisenkot, while proposing a transition to the State Presidency.

The scenario comes amid searches for a way out of the deadlock in forming a government after the elections. However, it does not represent an agreement, nor does it include public approval from Netanyahu or Eisenkot; rather, it reflects one of the circulating concepts for establishing a unity government that brings together the two rivals.

The idea goes beyond distributing years of rule, opening questions about partners and guarantees, the legal path to the State Presidency, and the fate of the disputes that separated the camps during the election campaign.

A Partnership at a Political Price

According to the "Walla" report published on Thursday, the key to the move, from the perspective of the opposition source, remains with Netanyahu. Will he choose to reach an understanding with Eisenkot, and what concessions will he accept to achieve this?

The source suggested the possibility of changing the coalition composition, including dispensing with the Jewish Power party led by Itamar Ben Gvir, and perhaps the United Torah Judaism party, with the possibility of retaining Shas and Religious Zionism.

This is a hypothetical map of partners, not an agreed-upon lineup. Moreover, the approval of the leaders of the two main parties, if achieved, does not automatically mean the approval of the remaining parties.

As for Eisenkot, he will face a fundamental political question: How does he justify partnering with a Prime Minister who campaigned to remove him from power?

The Presidency Is Not a Guaranteed Implementation Clause

The State Presidency differs from the Premiership in the nature of the position and the method of its selection. According to the Knesset and the Israeli Presidency, members of parliament elect the President of the State by secret ballot for a single term of seven years. Therefore, a political agreement can support a person's candidacy, but it does not grant them the position automatically.

The secrecy of the vote adds another element to the calculations; party pledges do not translate into a guaranteed electoral result before the ballot.

There is also the issue of timing. Isaac Herzog assumed the presidency in July 2021, making the usual date for the end of his term July 2028.

As for talk of Netanyahu staying for two additional years since autumn 2026, it requires a more precise timeline clarifying the relationship between the handover date of the government and the presidential due date.

October 7th on the Negotiating Table

Obstacles are not limited to arranging positions. The material quoted from "Walla" places the issue of forming an official investigation committee into the events of October 7th among the core points of disagreement, alongside differences regarding the policies of the next government.

Here appears the difficulty of turning the desire to avoid new elections into a joint program: Who participates in governance? What decisions does the government commit to? And how do both sides address files on which their electoral bases differ?

Any rotation formula also needs clear arrangements regarding the transfer of the premiership and the continuation of the coalition, not just a promise to hand over the position later.

A Concept Awaiting Its Owners

A unity government remains one of the possible exits, alongside attempts to form an alternative coalition or returning to elections if agreement fails.

But the distance between proposing the scenario and implementing it passes through the approval of rivals, the acceptance of partners, and the procedures for electing the President of the State.