Otzma Yehudit Accuses Netanyahu of Planning Unity Government with Eizenkot

Senior figures within the Otzma Yehudit party, led by Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, claim that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is actively working to weaken their party to pave the way for a unity government with Gadi Eizenkot after the upcoming elections. According to these sources, Netanyahu's Likud party is orchestrating "briefings and messages" emanating from the Prime Minister's circle that suggest a shift away from the current coalition's agenda.

Otzma Yehudit believes the Likud's strategy is to isolate and diminish their electoral power, making it easier for Netanyahu to form a government with Eizenkot. They point to the Likud's election campaign, which emphasizes a "broad government" rather than a right-wing coalition, as evidence. The party also notes Eizenkot's past openness to joining a Netanyahu-led government and Netanyahu's recent avoidance of joint appearances with Ben-Gvir.

These sources assert that Netanyahu's alleged pattern of forming broad coalitions is not new, citing his past governments with the Labor party, Yesh Atid, and attempts with Benny Gantz. They contend that Netanyahu has "decided he is going with Eizenkot," implying a move towards a more moderate, "polite statism" that would sideline judicial reform and other key agenda items of the current coalition.

Otzma Yehudit also speculates that Religious Zionism party leader Bezalel Smotrich might join such a government if offered a significant role. However, they believe Ben-Gvir cannot participate in a government that does not advance immigration encouragement and judicial reform, concluding that Netanyahu is determined to form a "Netanyahu-Eizenkot government."