Netanyahu Calls for Unity Government; Eisenkot Dismisses It as 'Spin'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for the formation of a national unity government in a social media video released Saturday evening. He specified that the proposed government should include all "national camp" parties and "Zionist parties" that wish to protect Israel. Netanyahu also criticized alleged attempts to form a government with the support of Arab parties, warning that such a government, dependent on "terror supporters" and those who seek Israel's destruction, would not fight Hamas, protect Jewish identity, or combat radical Islam.

Netanyahu asserted that a unity government is the only alternative to "national suicide" and would permanently remove the nuclear threat from Iran, preserve Israel as a Jewish state, and foster internal unity. He urged all parties to demonstrate responsibility during this critical time, calling it a "command of the hour" and a "command of our existence."

Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the 'Yisrael' party, responded critically, calling Netanyahu's call for unity a "pathetic spin." Eisenkot argued that Netanyahu, who he accused of systematically dividing Israeli society, only invoked the word "unity" when his tenure was nearing its end. He recalled Netanyahu forming unity and emergency governments in the past while working against them internally and failing to uphold agreements, citing the formation of the government after October 7 with Itamar Ben-Gvir as a senior minister against his own promise.

Eisenkot stated that if Netanyahu and his party genuinely desire unity, they must publicly dissolve their alliance with "extremists," accept four principles outlined by Eisenkot, and be willing to join a government under Eisenkot's leadership. He reiterated his readiness to form a government with those who agree to his terms, including the dismantling of Hamas. Until then, Eisenkot concluded, Netanyahu's call is merely a "pathetic spin."