Religious Commentator Urges Smotrich to Join Unity Government with Eisenkot

Religious media personality Menachem Horowitz has called for a partnership between Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionism party and Gadi Eisenkot's National Unity party. In his weekly column for the religious public newspaper "Mizav HaRuach," Horowitz analyzed Smotrich's party's poor performance in the recent elections and suggested they might only receive "a maximum of two junior portfolios" in a future government, even a unity government.

Horowitz argued that if the Haredi parties can negotiate with Eisenkot's bloc, despite past protests, to advance their communities' interests, then the Religious Zionism party should consider a similar approach. He proposed that if Smotrich recognizes that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can no longer form a government, and if Eisenkot becomes prime minister, Religious Zionism should join to "make this government more national."

Horowitz recalled that the party, formerly known as Mafdal, always aspired to be part of the ruling party, even serving in Ehud Barak's government. He concluded his column by stating that Smotrich's leadership will be tested by his ability to prioritize his public's important issues over opposing from the opposition benches.

Meanwhile, Smotrich criticized Eisenkot's recent letter to Netanyahu regarding security considerations during the transition government. Smotrich stated that if Eisenkot were truly concerned about national security, he would have discussed his concerns privately with the Prime Minister and the Chief of Staff. Smotrich accused Eisenkot of continuing a "sad and direct continuation of the Israeli left's willingness before the war to harm the holy of holies of Israeli security and use it as political leverage."

Smotrich urged Eisenkot to "take the IDF out of politics and do not irresponsibly harm Israel's security and command unity." Separately, in a Knesset speech, Smotrich appealed for a unity government between Netanyahu and Eisenkot, warning against a coalition formed with parties that "deny Israel as a Jewish and democratic state" or do not recognize Hamas as a terrorist organization. He stressed that while Arab citizens of Israel deserve rights, those who do not share the "basic ethos of Zionism" should not be part of critical decisions. Smotrich urged Netanyahu and Eisenkot to negotiate until an agreement is reached, warning against handing Israel over to its enemies.