Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party alleged on Saturday, October 31, that several of its members had received telephone calls from Likud lawmakers and ministers. The claim prompted an exchange of accusations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's party, while National Missions Minister Orit Strock separately acknowledged trying to contact Yeruham Mayor Tal Ohana.
In a post on X, Yashar named Almog Cohen, Education Minister Yoav Kisch and Yaakov Bardugo among those it said had made calls. The party portrayed the alleged outreach as a sign of anxiety and "hysteria" within Likud. It also said it was committed to carrying out the public's decision and forming a Zionist government that would serve all Israelis.
Likud responded later that Saturday with an accusation directed at Eisenkot and his campaign manager, Ronen Manelis. According to Maariv, the party said the two were facing pressure from people disrupting what it described as their plans to cooperate with parties that support terrorism.
Yashar then added Strock to the figures it said had called the party. In its response, it accused its opponents of sending emissaries to Yashar and denying doing so, linking that allegation to a series of other accusations about contacts and denials.
Those accusations included sending Shlomi Fogel to negotiate with Hamas and Miki Zohar to negotiate with Mansour Abbas. Yashar also alleged that its opponents continued to employ a Qatari agent in their office and denied losing on October 27. The party ended its response by advising them to drink cold water, even on an autumn evening.
Strock subsequently explained her call in a separate X post. She described Ohana as a "good friend" and said she had wanted to congratulate her on entering the Knesset and share her happiness. Strock said Ohana had not answered, but expressed confidence that she would return the call.
The dispute followed Eisenkot's announcement earlier on Saturday that any Knesset member could join his coalition by accepting four principles. These included recognizing Israel as Jewish, democratic, liberal and egalitarian, and committing to the values of the Declaration of Independence.
The remaining conditions were mandatory military, national or civilian service for every Israeli citizen, and recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization. Eisenkot also required acknowledgment of an obligation to destroy Hamas's military capabilities and governing power in the Gaza Strip.
