Netanyahu Calls for Unity Government Amidst Election Uncertainty

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video Saturday calling for the formation of a "national unity government" that would include all parties supporting his bloc. He accused the Joint List and Ra'am parties, and any potential partners of Gadi Eisenkot's bloc, of threatening Israel's Jewish character and internal stability.

Netanyahu stated that a government dependent on "haters of Judaism" would not preserve Israel as a Jewish state and would lead to its internal disintegration. He reiterated his call for a unity government comprising "all parties of the national camp and all Zionist parties that want to protect our country."

The National Unity party swiftly rejected Netanyahu's proposal, labeling it a "pathetic spin." They accused Netanyahu of dividing Israeli society and suggested he was only calling for unity because his time in office was limited. The party urged the Likud party to dissolve its "alliance with the extremists" and join a government led by Gadi Eisenkot, accepting his four principles.

MKs from the opposition also criticized Netanyahu's remarks. Gilad Kariv of the Democrats suggested Netanyahu's call for unity indicated his understanding that his party had lost the election. Efrat Rayten, also from the Democrats, accused Netanyahu of panic and inciting racism against Arab citizens of Israel. MK Ahmad Tibi of the Joint List responded to Netanyahu's accusations by calling him the "greatest destroyer of the State of Israel and the region" and the "top supporter of terror."

With Netanyahu's bloc securing only 53 mandates in the recent elections, they lack the ability to form a coalition. In contrast, President Isaac Herzog is expected to task Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government, as 67 Knesset members recommended him. Eisenkot plans to form a minority government initially, inviting all factions to join, and has warned against attempts to sabotage the government formation process for personal reasons.

Earlier, Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman indicated a willingness to compromise on the conscription law to enable a government with Haredi parties, while ruling out a government supported by Ra'am and the Joint List. Yair Golan, chairman of the Democrats, also expressed the need to replace Netanyahu's government with one that ensures Israel's democratic future, stating a willingness to partner with Haredi parties but demanding mutual responsibility and compromise on various issues.