Netanyahu and Eisenkot Hold Security Briefing Amid Tensions

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and National Unity Party Chairman Gadi Eisenkot are meeting for a security briefing on Thursday. The Prime Minister's Military Secretary, Guy Markizano, is also participating in the meeting. Sources familiar with the matter told Haaretz that Eisenkot's camp had approached Netanyahu's office several times since the beginning of the week to schedule a security update, but had not received a response. Eisenkot then contacted Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara on Wednesday, demanding her intervention to compel Netanyahu to hold the briefing.

According to one source, a meeting was scheduled between Eisenkot and Markizano for Thursday at 12:00 PM. However, an hour after this information was published, Netanyahu's office requested to cancel that meeting and hold it with the Prime Minister present. Eisenkot had previously urged Netanyahu to avoid "dangerous moves that can wait for the swearing-in of a new government that has the Knesset's confidence." In a letter, Eisenkot wrote that Netanyahu should not place the heads of the security systems in a "difficult constitutional conflict and doubts about what is required of them and what is the right thing to do." He warned that "the activation of security forces without a direct and immediate threat that cannot be postponed could lead to devastating consequences for Israeli democracy and the public's trust in government institutions."

Netanyahu responded to Eisenkot's remarks, calling his letter "an irresponsible move to publicly discuss sensitive security issues." The Prime Minister added, "This is a transparent attempt to politicize Israel's national security issues. Instead of sowing fear and division, we must act responsibly."

The Knesset approved the establishment of a temporary Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Wednesday, which is slated to be headed by Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman. However, the coalition managed to postpone Lieberman's official appointment as chairman until Monday. Until the committee has a chairman, it lacks significant authority. Netanyahu reportedly exerted pressure on Wednesday to delay the committee's convening in the coming days, as well as its subcommittees that oversee the activities of the IDF and the Mossad. The Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee has the constitutional authority to oversee the actions of the security services, and their heads are obligated to report to the committee members.