Israel’s caretaker prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, renewed on Saturday his call for a national unity government with his rival, Gadi Eisenkot, but Eisenkot dismissed the appeal as a ruse. The exchange comes as Eisenkot works to form a government after being tapped for the premiership on Sunday.
In a video statement, Netanyahu said a meeting with Eisenkot on Thursday had “only strengthened the conviction” that a national unity government was essential to guarantee Israel’s security. He argued that such a government could “eliminate the Iranian threat once and for all.”
Netanyahu’s proposal and warning on a minority government
Netanyahu said the proposed government should be made up of parties that recognise Israel “as a state for the Jewish people.” He also warned against Eisenkot’s plan for a minority government, which has been presented as a “national emergency government.”
Under that plan, the 48 lawmakers in Eisenkot’s bloc would vote in favour of the government, against the 46 Netanyahu backers. The 26 remaining members of parliament, from Arab and ultra-Orthodox parties, could abstain, which would allow approval without an absolute majority in the 120-seat Knesset.
Eisenkot accuses Netanyahu of playing tricks
Minutes later, Eisenkot responded that Netanyahu “knows he lost the election,” accusing him of playing “tricks” by calling for a unity government. He said Netanyahu was seeking negotiations while they were already underway, and that he claimed to want unity while sowing division. “These tricks don’t work on me,” the former army chief said.
On Saturday, Eisenkot repeated his demand for a “break with the extremists,” notably supporters of far-right minister Itamar Ben Gvir, as a condition for taking part in any government he leads. On Friday, he had denounced Netanyahu’s “racist” campaign against Arab parties. A unity government including Netanyahu himself appears unlikely.
Talks face hurdles over the Knesset speaker vote
Eisenkot has 28 days to form a new government, with a possible 14-day extension. Negotiations are expected to be difficult, especially as Netanyahu has campaigned to discredit Arab-Israeli parties, which won a record number of seats in the election.
Eisenkot said he would be open to forming a government with members of Netanyahu’s Likud party and with Religious Zionism, led by outgoing Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, provided their commitment to unity is “sincere.” A vote for the Knesset speaker is scheduled for Tuesday. The post is currently held by Amir Ohana, a close Netanyahu ally, and the opposition has nominated Matan Kahana, a former army officer who ranked fifth on Eisenkot’s list.
“If they (Likud and its allies) are truly seeking a sincere political partnership, as they claim, they must allow the democratic process to unfold normally,” Eisenkot said, urging their members to back Kahana’s appointment.
