Netanyahu Calls for Unity Government, Golan Open to Haredi Parties

Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the National Unity party, is expected to receive the mandate to form a government from the President on Sunday, after 67 Knesset members recommended him. Amidst this, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has shifted his rhetoric to calling for "unity" for the first time since the election. Previously, after a campaign focused on "election theft," Netanyahu had only called for a "broad national government" without using the word "unity." He stated, "Citizens of Israel. This is a time for unity. You know I called for this during the election campaign and repeated it afterward. This is the will of the people, and this is the need of the hour."

Netanyahu emphasized that he would not compromise on his bloc in a unity government. "There is only one choice, not national suicide, but national unity. I call for the establishment of a national unity government that will include all the parties of the national camp and all the Zionist parties that want to protect our country, the one and only state of the Jewish people," he said. He added that such a government would "permanently remove the nuclear threat from Iran, preserve Israel as a Jewish state, and bring about unity among us." Netanyahu claimed Eisenkot intends to form a government relying on Arab parties, stating, "Already next week, there are those who intend to hastily swear in a government with supporters of terror... A government dependent on Hamas supporters will not fight Hamas, a government dependent on haters of Judaism will not preserve Israel as a Jewish state."

Earlier, the Democratic party released a statement indicating they would not rule out cooperation with the Haredi parties, but presented difficult demands. Yair Golan, chairman of the party, stated, "Netanyahu's government must be replaced, and a government of salvation and change must be established that will ensure democratic Israel, its security, and its future. We are committed to making every effort for this to happen." He added, "We are not looking to punish the Haredi public. We want partnership with the Haredi public, but true partnership requires mutual responsibility." Golan specified that while they respect the Haredi way of life, they expect respect for theirs, including the ability to go out on Shabbat and use public transportation. "Anyone who wants to work with us will have to be ready for changes," he said.

Following Netanyahu's announcement, MK Gilad Kariv of the Democratic party commented, "When Netanyahu says it's time for unity, it's clear that he too understands that they lost the election." Golan's statement about potential cooperation with the Haredi parties comes amid significant disagreements within the "change bloc." Yesterday, Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, announced he would actively vote against a minority government relying on Arab votes. Instead, Lieberman proposed compromising on the conscription law to form a government with the Haredi parties, stating, "National responsibility requires us to make difficult decisions and be ready for painful compromises." Eisenkot, however, signaled his intention to proceed with his plan for a minority government of 48 members supported externally by Ra'am and possibly United Torah Judaism, implicitly criticizing Lieberman. "I intend to fulfill the mandate the people gave me, and the mandate the President is expected to give me, with awe," Eisenkot stated, adding that anyone who tries to sabotage the government's formation for personal reasons will be remembered historically as someone who did not rise to the occasion.