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Netanyahu Renews Call for Israeli Unity Government; Eisenkot Rejects His Appeal
By Maya Wilson
Israeli caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu renewed his call on Saturday, November 14, for a national unity government with political rival Gadi Eisenkot, saying an agreement was essential to the country’s security. Eisenkot rejected the appeal minutes later, accusing Netanyahu of seeking negotiations while undermining the prospect of unity.
In a video statement following a meeting with Eisenkot on Thursday, Netanyahu said the discussion had “only strengthened the conviction that it is essential to form a national unity government” to guarantee Israel’s security.
Netanyahu argued that such a government could “eliminate the Iranian threat once and for all.” He claimed Iran would “not hesitate to use nuclear weapons against us.”
He called for a government made up of parties that recognise Israel “as a state for the Jewish people.” The proposal, as summarised by AFP, would bring together key Jewish parties from the centre to the right while excluding Arab parties.
“Instead of trying to form a weak and dangerous government… let’s meet in one room, without preconditions, put aside all our disagreements and all the boycotts, and reach agreements for the security and the future of the state,” Netanyahu said.
He also warned against Eisenkot’s proposed minority government, which he presented as a “national emergency government.” Netanyahu’s statement did not identify who would lead a proposed unity government, set out any rotation arrangement or specify terms for an agreement.
Eisenkot responded that Netanyahu “knows he lost the election” and accused him of playing “tricks.”
“Netanyahu is calling for negotiations while they are already underway; he claims to want unity but… sows division and stokes tensions as if there were no tomorrow,” Eisenkot said, adding that “these tricks don’t work on me.”
Eisenkot reiterated on Saturday that any government under his leadership would require a “break with the extremists,” notably supporters of far-right minister Itamar Ben Gvir. He has indicated he could accept a government that includes members of Netanyahu’s Likud party and outgoing Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionism, provided their commitment to unity is “sincere.”
The exchange follows Eisenkot’s denunciation on Friday of Netanyahu’s campaign against Arab parties as “racist,” according to AFP. That dispute, alongside Eisenkot’s stated condition regarding Ben Gvir’s supporters, underscores the divide between the two politicians as negotiations continue.
President Isaac Herzog tapped Eisenkot on Sunday, November 8, to form a government within 28 days, with a possible 14-day extension. The negotiations are expected to be difficult. Arab-Israeli parties won a record number of seats in the election.
AFP reported that Eisenkot’s bloc holds 48 seats in the 120-member Knesset, compared with 46 for Netanyahu’s backers. The remaining 26 members, drawn from Arab and ultra-Orthodox parties, could abstain, allowing an Eisenkot government to win approval without securing an absolute majority.
The next test comes on Tuesday, November 17, when the Knesset is due to elect its speaker. The incumbent, Amir Ohana, is a close Netanyahu ally. The opposition has nominated Matan Kahana, a former army officer who was fifth on Eisenkot’s list.
Eisenkot challenged Likud to support the nomination, saying: “If they are truly seeking a sincere political partnership, as they claim, they must allow the democratic process to unfold normally… and instruct their members of parliament to support the appointment of Matan Kahana.”
The unity appeal also comes in a week when, according to reporting by The Times of Israel, Israel’s Mossad chief was in Washington for talks on Iran. Netanyahu did not update Eisenkot on that visit.
Maya Wilson
World Desk Lead, The Library Media
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