National Unity Chairman Eisenkot Calls for Netanyahu's Ouster

Gadi Eisenkot, Chairman of the National Unity Party, issued a sharp statement Sunday, declaring that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must not continue in power. Eisenkot's remarks were prompted by a Channel 12 "Uvda" report alleging that the Prime Minister's office was involved in the arrest of Arab citizens on election day.

"Under no circumstances should Netanyahu continue to hold the reins of power for even one more minute. Under no circumstances should Israel be dragged into another election cycle with him as prime minister," Eisenkot stated. He added that as long as Netanyahu remains in office, "fair and legitimate elections will no longer be held in Israel." Eisenkot emphasized that this consideration is his primary guide in all coalition negotiations he is currently conducting.

Eisenkot further criticized the Prime Minister's office, referencing the "Qatargate" affair and the current allegations. "After bringing Qatari agents into the Prime Minister's office in the 'Qatargate' affair, a new and even more serious affair has now been exposed, an alleged attempt to disrupt elections by planting evidence, using the police against Arab citizens of Israel without a search warrant or valid arrest warrant," he said.

He called for an immediate investigation into the matter and clarification from the police and Shin Bet regarding the published details. Eisenkot announced he would act to establish a state commission of inquiry to investigate the Prime Minister's office's involvement and intervention on election day, as well as the conduct of security forces before and during the event.

These statements come despite coalition talks held earlier in the day between Likud representatives and those from National Unity and the "Achinu" party to discuss government formation. The Prime Minister's office responded to the "Uvda" report, calling it "another false report in dramatic music packaging as part of serious attempts to silence the election pollution affair." They stated that criminal information was received by Chief of Staff Ido Norden, who fulfilled his duty by connecting the individual to the police. The office denied any further involvement by Norden, calling it false and defamatory, and asserted he never spoke with intelligence officials or others involved in the investigation. They also pointed to the morning of the elections, when an individual was apprehended with tens of thousands of shekels in cash and Ra'am party ballots.