Eisenkot Warns Netanyahu Against Military Actions Without Direct Threat

Gadi Eisenkot, head of the Yamina Party and tasked with forming the Israeli government, urged outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to exercise restraint and refrain from launching military operations unless there is a direct and immediate threat. Eisenkot cautioned against making serious security decisions during the current transitional period, warning of potential severe consequences for Israeli democracy and public trust in state institutions. He also expressed concern about placing security leaders in constitutional dilemmas or casting doubt on their required decisions.

In parallel, Eisenkot sent a letter to the government's Legal Advisor, Gali Baharav-Miara, requesting her intervention to obtain a briefing on current security developments and issues on Netanyahu's agenda. This move aims to ensure oversight of decision-making processes and protect national security interests, especially given the absence of an opposition leader for legal reasons.

Netanyahu's office responded by stating that all government decisions were made for purely security reasons and in full coordination with the security establishment, attributing "unprecedented achievements" to these actions. The office criticized Eisenkot's letter as an "irresponsible step" that politicizes national security issues and accused him of trying to sow fear and division. Netanyahu reiterated his invitation for Eisenkot to join his government, which he described as fighting terrorism, rather than forming one with "supporters of terrorism."

Eisenkot countered by questioning Netanyahu's refusal to brief him on security matters through official channels and his attempt to postpone a Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting. Eisenkot affirmed his commitment to preventing a vacuum in oversight of a government that has lost the Knesset's confidence and any deviation from security considerations.

Finance Minister and Religious Zionism party leader Bezalel Smotrich also criticized Eisenkot, suggesting that genuine concern for security would involve private discussions with Netanyahu and the IDF Chief of Staff, not public statements. Smotrich accused Eisenkot of undermining trust in the military's decision-making mechanisms and likened his actions to the Israeli left's alleged willingness to harm Israel's security before the war, using security issues for political pressure.