Netanyahu Warns Against Minority Government, Eisenkot Rejects Claims

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Saturday evening for the formation of a national unity government, excluding parties he described as supporting terrorism and seeking Israel's destruction. In a video statement, Netanyahu warned against a government reliant on Arab parties, specifically targeting Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the National Unity Party. He asserted that such a government, dependent on Hamas supporters and enemies of Judaism, would be unable to combat extremism or protect Israeli soldiers. Netanyahu claimed a third of the coalition's members call IDF soldiers war criminals and support Hezbollah and Hamas operatives.

Netanyahu further cautioned about the internal security implications, comparing the scenario to unrest in European cities. "A government like this, dependent on Islamists, will dismantle the State of Israel from within... The fire and flames we see in the streets of Brussels will pale in comparison to the fire and flames we will see in the streets of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and the rest of Israel's cities," he stated, concluding that "with such a government, Israel simply will not survive." He urged national unity as the sole alternative to "national suicide."

In response, Gadi Eisenkot dismissed Netanyahu's speech as "hysterical," accusing the Prime Minister of divisive rhetoric and hypocrisy. Eisenkot stated that Netanyahu only invoked unity when facing the end of his term, despite consistently acting against it. He criticized Netanyahu for failing to eliminate Hamas and for breaking promises in past coalition agreements, even after the October 7th massacre. Eisenkot challenged Netanyahu to publicly dissolve alliances with extremists and accept his four principles to form a government under Eisenkot's leadership.

Separately, Yair Golan, chairman of the Democratic Party, addressed potential political partnerships with Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties. Golan expressed a desire for genuine partnership with the Haredi public, emphasizing mutual responsibility, including Haredi conscription and labor market integration to alleviate the burden on the middle class. He also stressed the need to respect secular lifestyles, stating that any partnership would require meeting in secular areas like Ramat Gan, not exclusively in Haredi neighborhoods. Golan clarified that this outreach is not an unconditional offer but a genuine attempt to form a government of change, requiring readiness for reforms.