Netanyahu Calls for Unity Government Led by Likud, Omits Rotation
Translated & summarized from Davar by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is calling for a broad unity government led by his Likud party, excluding the possibility of a rotation in the prime minister's position. This comes after President Yitzhak Herzog tasked Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government. Netanyahu opposes a government reliant on Arab parties and seeks to include all national camp and other Zionist parties. Eisenkot faces challenges in forming a majority, partly due to disagreements over potential reliance on Arab parties.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for a broad unity government led by the Likud party.
- Netanyahu's proposal for a unity government did not mention a rotation in the prime minister's role.
- President Yitzhak Herzog tasked Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government after elections.
- Netanyahu opposes a government reliant on Arab parties due to security concerns.
- Gadi Eisenkot has 28 days to form a government, with a potential extension.
- Avigdor Lieberman opposes a minority government supported by Arab parties.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video Monday calling for the formation of a broad unity government led by the Likud party. He expressed willingness to engage in talks with parties outside the right-wing bloc but insisted the Likud must lead. Netanyahu's proposal did not address the possibility of a rotation in the prime minister's role.
The appeal comes a day after President Yitzhak Herzog tasked National Camp Chairman Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government, amidst ongoing negotiations between Eisenkot and Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman. Netanyahu framed the unity government as a solution to Israel's security challenges and reiterated his opposition to a government reliant on Arab parties, arguing such a government could not effectively counter threats from Iran and its proxies.
Netanyahu emphasized that the proposed government should include all national camp parties, including the ultra-Orthodox parties, and called for the inclusion of other Zionist parties, stating, "I am not ruling anyone out and no one should rule out. Enough with boycotts." When asked about leadership, he stated the largest party, Likud, should lead, citing its significant electoral advantage over the next largest party. However, he provided no details on how consensus would be reached or how leadership roles would be divided.
This is Netanyahu's latest call for a broad government, following a Saturday video in which he strongly criticized the prospect of a government supported by Arab parties. In the post-election consultations, 67 Knesset members recommended Eisenkot for the premiership, compared to 46 for Netanyahu, with seven abstentions. Eisenkot has 28 days to form a government, with a possible 14-day extension.
A key dispute within Eisenkot's bloc involves the formation of a minority government supported by Arab parties, which Lieberman opposes. Lieberman advocates for cooperation with the ultra-Orthodox parties, contingent on agreements regarding military conscription. This stance complicates Eisenkot's efforts to secure a majority. Meanwhile, Netanyahu aims to retain his right-wing allies and attract additional parties, leaving the division of portfolios and leadership unresolved.
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