Coalition Talks Flare Amid Fierce Exchange Between Likud and Yamina Lawmakers

Sharp exchanges erupted between Likud Transportation Minister Miri Regev and Yamina MK Meirav Ben Ari on Sunday during coalition unity talks. The heated online debate highlighted deep divisions within parties regarding potential unity government partners, extending beyond party leadership.

Regev posted that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was extending a hand for unity, presenting Gadi Eisenkot with a choice between Israel's good or supporting "terror supporters" aiming for a Palestinian state. She warned that a government relying on such elements would fall quickly and that Netanyahu's critics would bury their futures.

Ben Ari responded hours later, questioning how unity could be achieved with people like Regev, whom she criticized as a professionally poor minister who had ruined her ministry. She challenged Regev's dismissal of representatives of over 20% of the population and alluded to past political deals Regev made before becoming a "Norwegian" (a term for lawmakers who resign their seats to become ministers).

Netanyahu had called on Eisenkot on Saturday to form a unity government without preconditions, stating that a narrow government or one leaning on "terror supporters" could not meet the significant challenges ahead. Eisenkot rejected the call as a "spin," insisting that joining a national emergency government under his leadership required recognition of his principles and the exclusion of extremists. This demand is interpreted in political circles as a rejection of the Otzma Yehudit party from future government participation.

Negotiation teams from the Likud, Yisrael Beiteinu, and Yamina parties met for about an hour at the Dan Accadia Hotel in Herzliya. The Likud and Yisrael Beiteinu issued a joint statement saying the meeting was conducted in a businesslike atmosphere and that discussions would continue. No breakthrough was reported.