The 20:00 report · 1.11.2026
Political contacts in Israel ahead of consultations at the President's Residence take center stage, alongside leadership changes at the Bank Hapoalim workers' union. Regionally, Qatari-mediated talks continue in Doha in an effort to avert further military escalation between the United States and Iran.
Bennett Announces He Will Recommend Eisenkot to Form Government
Former prime minister Naftali Bennett announced that he will recommend to President Isaac Herzog that Yeshar! party chairman Gadi Eisenkot be tasked with forming the next government. Bennett's announcement follows earlier reports that the Joint List and Ra'am are also expected to recommend Eisenkot to Herzog, who had urged party heads to show flexibility to prevent another election. The move comes amid intensive contacts among the leaders of the change bloc, despite reports that talks have reached an impasse regarding the appointment of the Knesset speaker. Bennett's backing provides momentum to Eisenkot in his effort to consolidate an alternative parliamentary majority and emerge as the bloc's agreed candidate ahead of the official consultations at the President's Residence.
United Torah Judaism Weighs Withholding Endorsement for Prime Minister
The United Torah Judaism faction is considering recommending no candidate to the president for forming the government, as Yitzhak Goldknopf promotes backing Gadi Eisenkot while Meir Porush expresses doubt about the move. Senior faction figures are also weighing an abstention in the vote on replacing Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana. This development follows Eisenkot's presentation of principles for forming a government to prevent repeat elections, as well as earlier reports that Shas chairman Aryeh Deri is considering resigning from the Knesset. A decision by United Torah Judaism to withhold an endorsement or abstain on the speakership could assist the opposition, place substantial pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu, and undermine the cohesion of the right-wing bloc.
Bank Hapoalim Workers' Committee Chairman Roni Garfunkel Steps Down
Bank Hapoalim workers' union chairman Roni Garfunkel is stepping down after seven years, amid a labor dispute of more than a year with bank management following its announcement of an efficiency plan. Garfunkel's departure follows internal clashes within the union committee and accusations of failure in managing negotiations and the struggle against management. The identity of his successor has not yet been announced. Garfunkel's exit leaves employee representation at the bank without an agreed leadership at the height of a prolonged confrontation, which could affect the implementation of the bank's efficiency plan and future labor relations at the major financial institution.
Eisenkot and Liberman Meet as Change Bloc Leaders Forum Set to Convene
Yeshar! party chairman Gadi Eisenkot and Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman met, and the change bloc leadership forum is expected to convene soon to coordinate positions ahead of the swearing-in of the Knesset, despite reports that contacts hit an impasse over the election of a Knesset speaker. The meeting follows a previous discussion between Eisenkot and Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid, as well as Liberman's denial that he sought the speaker position, in light of the four principles Eisenkot presented to realize a majority against Benjamin Netanyahu. Dialogue among faction heads is critical to resolving internal opposition disagreements and reaching operational agreements before the Knesset is sworn in within less than two weeks.
Doha: Third Day of Iran-Qatar Talks Aimed at Ending US-Iran War
An Iranian negotiating delegation is holding talks in Doha for a third day with Qatari officials in an effort to end the war between the United States and Iran and prevent further escalation, as Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ordered the military to prepare for any attack. The talks follow US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's statement that President Donald Trump prefers a diplomatic solution while keeping the military option open, and Trump's call with Benjamin Netanyahu regarding plans for potential strikes. The Qatari contacts serve as a key containment channel to avert wider military confrontation, even as both sides continue to signal high operational readiness for immediate action.
Written automatically from the Tevel reports linked in it.