National Unity Leader Eisenkot Willing to Form Minority Government

Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the National Unity Party, stated in an interview with Kan News on Wednesday that if his bloc does not secure 60 Knesset seats, he would proceed to swear in a government even without a majority. "If we don't reach 60, I will, in a time of crisis, go to swear in a government, even with 58, 59. We will form this government and try to expand it immediately with Zionist, state-oriented votes," he said. Eisenkot emphasized that he would not seek the support of Arab parties, nor, he added regretfully, any Haredi parties, as none accept his four core principles: destroying Hamas, conscription into the IDF, adherence to the Declaration of Independence, and Israel as a Jewish, democratic, and liberal state. He projected his bloc would win 61 to 63 seats and vowed to prevent Netanyahu from calling further elections under a transitional government, which he accused Netanyahu of attempting to achieve through "victory by not losing."

Eisenkot also addressed claims made against him by Netanyahu earlier that evening. He refuted Netanyahu's assertion that he opposed the "Beepers Operation," stating it was a "blatant lie" and that he was unaware of the operation as he was not in the government at the time. Regarding the claim that he wanted to halt the war before entering Rafah, Eisenkot called for the public release of the war cabinet's vote results on the Rafah operation, asserting that "all six ministers, along with him, voted in favor." He also stated that he was the only minister who demanded the full retaliatory strike against Iran after its initial attack, as recommended by the Air Force and the Chief of Staff.

Responding to Netanyahu's claim that electing National Unity would lead to a Palestinian state, Eisenkot affirmed his lifelong opposition to establishing such a state. He accused Netanyahu of pursuing a "hysterical fear campaign" and of chasing after Mansour Abbas, not himself. Eisenkot countered Netanyahu's description of Israel before October 7th as a "state with an army" by noting that Netanyahu only "restored governance to Israel 3 years ago, during his 16 years in power," implying a period of military rule. He also questioned Netanyahu's control over his own office, citing the continued employment and defense of advisor Yonatan Uriach, who allegedly received money from Qatar and leaked a classified document.

Eisenkot expressed confidence in his ability to handle international leaders, including former President Trump, stating, "He can relax. I will know how to deal with any leader in the world and stand up for the interests of the State of Israel." He praised Trump for his non-interference in Israeli elections and suggested Trump understood the true polling data. Eisenkot also criticized Netanyahu's handling of military achievements, stating he failed to translate them into political gains. He noted current American leadership in Gaza and Lebanon involving over 20 countries and claimed Netanyahu agreed to allow non-Hamas Palestinians to be armed and returned to Egypt as police, a move he would have to manage if he led the government. He concluded by stating that if necessary, his government would destroy Hamas's military power.