Gadi Eisenkot Slams Netanyahu, Opposes Rotation, Cites UAE Warning

Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the National Unity party, declared his firm opposition to any rotation agreement with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling such arrangements "tricks and schemes." In a radio interview, Eisenkot also accused Netanyahu of being an "unreliable person" who uses "the culture of lies and manipulation as a political tool," and stated that Netanyahu and his cabinet from October 7th are "unfit for leadership."

Eisenkot further alleged that a strategic warning was received from the United Arab Emirates prior to the October 7th Hamas attack, but the Prime Minister's Office failed to act on it. "According to my information, information was passed from the UAE... to the Prime Minister's Office, the Prime Minister's Office received it and did nothing," Eisenkot stated, adding that this intelligence should have triggered red lights and been passed to the head of the Shin Bet.

Criticizing his own bloc's potential partners, Eisenkot expressed concern over former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman's approach to forming a future government. He argued that failing to pre-determine the prime ministerial candidate and relying on post-election decisions harms their chances of winning, stating, "The public wants change. The intention to enter the room the day after and decide who is prime minister, that cannot be accepted."

Former Prime Minister Bennett echoed concerns about rotation, stating, "We will not allow rotation. Netanyahu bears direct personal responsibility for October 7th and must go home. Talk of rotation bothers me; all this preoccupation distances the ability to establish a stable Zionist government."

Avigdor Lieberman called for unity within the "change bloc," urging an end to discussions about who will be first or second in leadership. A statement from his party later clarified that Yisrael Beiteinu is committed to forming a Zionist government without Netanyahu, Arab, or Haredi parties, and that Eisenkot should clarify his potential partners.