Netanyahu meets Ben-Gvir, Smotrich as opposition leaders hold coalition talks
Netanyahu met Ben-Gvir and Smotrich as opposition leaders held separate talks. Eisenkot accused Likud of undermining the vote, while Lapid urged patience
Assessment
The meeting between Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir, and Smotrich signals he is moving to consolidate a governing bloc. The opposition's separate talks suggest they remain fragmented. Eisenkot's accusation that Likud undermined the vote raises the stakes on electoral integrity, while Lapid's patience points to a strategy of waiting rather than rushing. The question now is whether the opposition can coordinate before Netanyahu locks in a coalition.