Name: EC Midday press briefing of 09/11/2026
Uploaded: 2026-11-09T12:05:32+00:00
Duration: 143 s

EC Midday press briefing of 09/11/2026

9 November 2026

Contents updated on 9 Nov 2026

A journalist asks whether, following certification of Israeli election results and President Herzog’s mandate to opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form a government, the EU will now congratulate him, linking this to prospects for restoring EU–Israel relations, regional stability and a just and lasting peace. The Commission spokesperson declines to go beyond previous statements, stressing the EU will wait until a new government is formed while reiterating readiness to engage any new Israeli government based on the longstanding partnership, democratic principles and shared values.

Mon, 9 Nov 2026 European Commission

Follow its sittings

00:00 - 00:39

Speaker 2

Yes, thank you very much Paola. It's a question to Anouar concerning, I think, he issued a statement, I remember, directly after the elections in Israel. And in that statement he congratulated the Israeli people for the elections, for its vibrant democracy. But as there was no winner yet, because the votes were, had not been counted and so on, he couldn't congratulate a winner. But that has changed by now, because the election results have been certified by the central election committee in Israel.

00:39 - 01:31

Speaker 4

And also yesterday, what happened was that Gadi Eisenkot, the leader of the opposition and the change block in Israel, was, he got a mandate from the president to try to form a new government. So, I would like to ask if now is the time for EU to congratulate him for his mandate, because if there will be a new government led by him, then I suppose that will lead to a restoration of the EU-Israel relations and to regional stability, and hopefully also to a just and lasting peace, exactly those goals which were mentioned in the first statement two weeks ago. Thank you.

01:31 - 02:09

Speaker 3

Thank you. Thank you, Moses, for your question. Look, I will not be here commenting any further from what I have already said recently, because as you say, I will, and we will, await until a new government is formed. But what I can stress, and recall, and reiterate, is that we are looking forward to engaging with the new government on the basis of our longstanding relationship and our commitment to democratic principles and common values. This remains unchanged.

02:09 - 02:12

Speaker 1

Thank you, Anouar. That's it, a question for Anouar?

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