Israeli Unity Government Talks End Without Agreement Amid Leadership Disputes

Negotiations between the "Yamina," "Together," and "Likud" parties aimed at forming a unity government in Israel concluded Sunday evening without any progress. The initial meeting, held in Herzliya, lasted about an hour and a quarter, with participants agreeing to continue dialogue. Yamina, led by Gadi Eisenkot, was represented by MK Hili Tropper and advisor Yoav Horowitz. The Likud delegation included MK Ofir Katz and lawyer Michael Rabello, while Together, headed by Naftali Bennett, sent political advisor Shalom Shlomo. This meeting followed the cancellation of a previous session initiated by Eisenkot, who had cited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's divisive speech on unity as the reason.

Joint statements from Yamina and Likud described the meeting as "businesslike" and agreed to further discussions. Likud's Ofir Katz expressed hope that the talks would not be merely symbolic. The core disagreements revolve around the premiership and government composition. Eisenkot insists on forming a government under his leadership without a rotation, while the Likud refuses to join a government not headed by Netanyahu, either through rotation or otherwise. The Likud also demands the inclusion of all parties in Netanyahu's bloc, including Itamar Ben-Gvir's Jewish Power party. Yamina, however, is open to including parties from the current coalition, excluding Ben-Gvir's faction.

Meanwhile, key partners of Eisenkot in the "change bloc," including Yair Lapid, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yair Golan, oppose any government involving Netanyahu as prime minister or participant. They maintain that the Likud is not excluded from a potential partnership, but only if Netanyahu is not involved. Prime Minister Netanyahu had invited Eisenkot for a direct meeting on Saturday to discuss unity "without preconditions," which Eisenkot dismissed as a "political maneuver" to obstruct the formation of an alternative government with Haredi parties.

Yair Golan, head of the Democratic Party, criticized the initiation of talks with the Likud, arguing that the path to change does not involve forming a unity government with Netanyahu but rather building a partnership to replace him. Golan suggested that the change bloc should engage with Arab party leaders to explore partnerships based on shared interests, rather than allowing Netanyahu to dictate legitimate political actors. He also held Netanyahu and the Likud responsible for the events of October 7th, the judicial overhaul, and the weakening of the rule of law, emphasizing the need to heed the voters' will.

In related developments, Eisenkot reportedly held a secret meeting last week with Yaakov Asher, head of the United Torah Judaism party, as part of his efforts to form an alternative government. Asher also met with Avigdor Lieberman last week. The Knesset is scheduled to vote on Tuesday to replace its current speaker, Amir Ohana of the Likud, with MK Matan Kahana of Yamina, coinciding with the ongoing government formation negotiations.