Eisenkot to Offer Netanyahu Unity Government Without Rotation
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Gadi Eisenkot, tasked with forming Israel's next government, plans to offer Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu a role in a unity government without a rotation of the premiership. Eisenkot's National Unity party is also seeking to include Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionism party. The proposal comes amid public disagreements between Eisenkot and Netanyahu regarding the negotiation process and coalition composition. Eisenkot has also criticized Netanyahu's rhetoric regarding Arab citizens and potential coalition partners.
The story in 7 lines · by baba
- Gadi Eisenkot will propose a unity government to Benyamin Netanyahu without a rotation of the Prime Minister role.
- Eisenkot also aims to include Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionism party to broaden the government's base.
- Eisenkot's camp stated that the Prime Minister's identity is not up for negotiation, despite willingness for other compromises.
- The proposal follows public exchanges and a recent meeting between Eisenkot and Netanyahu.
- Netanyahu had previously called for unity government talks without preconditions, citing security challenges.
- Eisenkot accused Netanyahu of running a "racist and violent de-legitimization campaign" against Arab citizens.
- Bezalel Smotrich urged Matan Kahana not to accept Knesset Speaker role with Arab party support.
Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the National Unity Party and tasked with forming a government, is reportedly planning to propose that Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu and the Likud party join a national unity government led by Eisenkot, but without a rotation agreement for the premiership. The proposal, as reported by Channel 13 on Saturday evening, also involves reaching out to Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionism party to broaden the government's base.
The emerging plan from National Unity would allow Netanyahu to join the government and focus on key policy issues, while retaining his position as Prime Minister. Sources close to Eisenkot emphasized that while compromises on various issues are possible, the identity of the Prime Minister is non-negotiable. The proposal might also include arrangements for Netanyahu's residence, security, and personal matters.
This development follows public exchanges between Netanyahu and Eisenkot, two days after a meeting between them. Earlier, Netanyahu had called on Eisenkot to begin negotiations without preconditions for a "government of hope, a national unity government," citing security challenges that a narrow government or one relying on Arab parties could not handle. He also mentioned the possibility of resolving the conscription issue with Haredi representatives.
Eisenkot sharply criticized Netanyahu's public statement, calling it a "spin" and noting that a meeting between the negotiation teams had already been scheduled for the following day. He reiterated that his stance on the future coalition's composition remains unchanged. Reports this week indicated that Netanyahu's camp had conveyed messages suggesting the Likud would not insist on the inclusion of the Otzma Yehudit party if unity government talks commenced.
Eisenkot also addressed the possibility of cooperating with Arab parties, accusing Netanyahu and his associates of running a "racist and violent de-legitimization campaign" against Arab citizens for political gain. He stated that Arab Israeli citizens constitute 21% of the population and are facing such a campaign fueled by the outgoing Prime Minister. Meanwhile, Smotrich issued a strong statement this week, urging Matan Kahana not to accept the role of Knesset Speaker if it is supported by Arab parties, calling such an appointment "moral bankruptcy."
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