Gadi Eisenkot Rules Out Ra'am Party from Future Government

Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the "Yash!" party, stated in an interview on "Meet the Press" that the Ra'am party will not be part of any future government he leads. He outlined three core principles for any coalition partner, including the recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization that must be destroyed. Eisenkot also discussed his party's ethical code, emphasizing that members must take a stand if he fails to uphold his promises.

Eisenkot expressed his ambition for "Yash!" to become the largest party within the "change bloc" and aims to secure 63-65 Knesset seats. He believes that a strong showing by his party would consolidate the opposition and lead to victory in the upcoming elections. He also addressed the issue of Qatari funding to Gaza, intelligence warnings prior to October 7th, and war plans concerning Lebanon, asserting that he has a clear vision for Israel's future.

Regarding coalition dynamics, Eisenkot acknowledged potential criticisms from fellow bloc leaders about fragmenting votes but stressed the shared goal of winning the election. He contrasted the opposition's potential leadership with that of Benjamin Netanyahu, suggesting a more serious alternative. Eisenkot also touched upon the possibility of forming a minority government if a 63-seat majority is not achieved, but clarified his stance on not negotiating with Arab parties under current conditions.

The interview also covered Eisenkot's past statements on Qatari money transfers to Gaza, which he defended as necessary for the Gazan economy under specific control mechanisms, and his views on the intelligence failures preceding the October 7th attacks. He criticized Netanyahu's handling of intelligence warnings and his decision-making regarding potential military operations, particularly in Lebanon, suggesting that strategic opportunities were missed due to Netanyahu's political considerations.

Eisenkot also elaborated on his party's ethical code, which requires members to resign if they deviate from party commitments, aiming to change the culture of Israeli politics and prevent defections seen in previous Knesset terms. He firmly rejected the idea of a Palestinian state, contrasting his position with Netanyahu's past support for a two-state solution, and emphasized his commitment to a strong, Jewish, and liberal Israel.