Netanyahu Calls for Unity Government; Eisenkot Rejects, Cites Pre-Scheduled Meeting

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday evening called on Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, to form a national unity government, proposing to enter negotiations without preconditions. This offer followed a meeting between the two leaders last Thursday that lasted over two hours. Netanyahu stated that the meeting reinforced his belief in the necessity of a broad government to address Israel's security and national challenges, particularly the Iranian threat. He directly addressed Eisenkot, saying, "Let's enter the room, without preconditions, set aside all disputes and boycotts, and reach agreements for Israel's security and future."

Eisenkot, however, rejected Netanyahu's call, dismissing it as "another spin." He revealed that a meeting between negotiation teams from Yisrael Beiteinu and the Likud party had already been scheduled for the following day, Sunday. "The outgoing Prime Minister's announcement to the press this evening, in which he called to meet for negotiations, is another spin. Netanyahu knows that such a meeting has already been set. It was scheduled for tomorrow between the negotiation teams of Yisrael Beiteinu and the Likud. Netanyahu calls for negotiations after they have already been set, claims he wants unity, but desecrates a state occasion in the Knesset, divides and incites as if there is no tomorrow," Eisenkot wrote. He added, "A nice try, but these tricks don't work on me. Nor on the citizens of Israel."

Eisenkot clarified that the conditions for joining a national emergency government under his leadership include "recognition of the principles I have outlined and parting with the extremists." He accused Netanyahu of being aware of his election loss and of acting to delay the formation of a new government and thwart the replacement of the Knesset speaker. Eisenkot asserted that "a new and good government will indeed be established" and that he is working towards forming a national emergency government.

Furthermore, Eisenkot addressed the upcoming political test for the Likud and the Religious Zionism party: the election for Knesset speaker on Tuesday. He urged both parties to support MK Matan Kahana, the candidate of the Change and Reform parties, stating it is their opportunity to prove the seriousness of their intentions for political partnership. "This is their chance to prove how serious they are. Or, once again, it's all just an empty political trick and nothing more," he concluded.