Netanyahu Floats Broad National Unity Government, Drawing Sharp Reactions Across Politics

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a Saturday evening press conference that he intends to form a “broad national government” after the next election, a remark that immediately drew criticism and support from across Israel’s political spectrum. The event, held on June 27, 2026, covered several issues, but his comments about a future coalition dominated the political fallout.

Gadi Eisenkot, the former IDF chief and head of the Yashar! party, rejected the idea of serving under Netanyahu and tied his response to the debate over a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 attacks. He wrote that “boycotts are a campaign from a previous life,” but added that a prime minister who “led blindly to a historic low,” fueled division and incitement, and spent his energy promoting draft dodging “is not worthy of this people.” He said such a leader has no standing to lecture others about unity.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, a coalition member, said the broad-government idea was “very troubling” and argued Netanyahu should form “only a full right-wing government.” He said past governments that brought in figures from the political left, naming Tzipi Livni and Benny Gantz, weakened the ability to pursue a determined right-wing agenda.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar praised Netanyahu’s statement and said he supports the move after the election, calling it “the direction needed for the country.” Saar said that after October 7 there is no room for boycotts or exclusions, and that Israel will face a years-long struggle for survival and future, making a broad national government a clear national interest.

Opposition leaders also responded sharply. Yair Golan, head of the Democrats, urged liberal and democratic parties to say they will not sit with Netanyahu, while Benny Gantz said, “We do not believe you,” warning that Netanyahu would otherwise return to a government with ultra-Orthodox and extremist partners that would continue to stall Israel. Gantz said he and his allies would build a broad Zionist bloc after the next election to prevent another massacre and future disasters.