Gadi Eisenkot Releases Meeting Footage Amid Claims of Coalition Talks

Following a report by N12, Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the National Unity party, released video documentation of his recent meeting with Bedouin local authority heads in northern Israel. This action comes after some of these leaders claimed Eisenkot had suggested incorporating the Ra'am party into a future government. Eisenkot and his party vehemently denied these claims, stating that the issue of future government composition was not discussed during the meeting or a subsequent meal.

National Unity released the footage to refute what they called "lies being spread since morning," asserting that Eisenkot "did not discuss the issue of the composition and structure of the future government at all." They added, "Any other publication on the subject is false."

Monir Zbeidat, chairman of the Forum of Northern Bedouin Local Authority Heads, described the meeting with Eisenkot as "positive and in good spirits." He stated that the leaders presented their demands for a better future for all citizens, and that "requests were raised by some of the local authority heads regarding the partnership of Arab public representatives." Zbeidat expressed respect for differing opinions and preferred to keep the direct dialogue with Eisenkot within the meeting's framework.

Earlier, N12 reported that local authority heads claimed Eisenkot had "promised to add Ra'am to a government led by him." National Unity responded by stating, "These words were never said, not even by implication. Parties that do not recognize Hamas as a terror organization that the State of Israel has a duty to destroy will not be part of a government we establish."