Unity Government Talks Stall Amidst Disagreements on Coalition Partners
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Negotiations for a unity government between Israel's Likud and National Unity parties ended Sunday without major breakthroughs, though talks will continue. Representatives from both parties described the discussions as "substantive." Key disagreements persist over coalition partners, particularly Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit, and the role of Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister. National Unity favors Likud joining their coalition without power-sharing, while Likud insists on Netanyahu as premier and the inclusion of all right-wing bloc parties.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Unity government talks between Likud and National Unity ended without significant progress Sunday.
- Both parties agreed to continue discussions, describing the meeting as "substantive."
- Disagreements persist over including Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit in a future coalition.
- Likud insists Benjamin Netanyahu must serve as prime minister in any unity government.
- National Unity reportedly proposed Likud join their coalition without power-sharing.
Negotiations for a unity government between the Likud and National Unity parties concluded on Sunday in Herzliya without significant progress, though both sides agreed to continue discussions. Representatives Ofir Katz for Likud and Hili Tropper for National Unity described the meeting as "substantive" and expressed hope for continued efforts to form a government. A joint statement confirmed the "substantive atmosphere" and the agreement to prolong the dialogue.
Meanwhile, National Unity Chairman Gadi Eisenkot, who received the mandate to form a government a week prior, met separately with representatives from the Democrats and Yisrael Beiteinu, as some senior partners in his party oppose a unity government that includes Benjamin Netanyahu or has him as prime minister. Eisenkot's team included Tropper and Yoav Horowitz, while Likud was represented by Katz and attorney Michael Ravilo. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's team included former government secretary Shalom Shlomo.
During the talks, Likud representatives urged National Unity and the Democrats not to exclude Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party from potential coalition partnerships, stating they would not exclude figures like Yair Golan from Likud's side. Despite Netanyahu's public calls for the entire right-wing bloc to join the government, behind-the-scenes messages suggested flexibility on including Ben-Gvir if a unity government was formed. The Democrats' CEO, Omer Lubaton Granot, rejected these overtures, criticizing the Likud's past rhetoric against Yair Golan.
National Unity's stance, as conveyed by sources, was to focus on Likud joining their coalition without a rotation or power-sharing agreement for the prime minister's role. However, Likud rejected any proposal where Netanyahu would not serve as prime minister, whether through rotation or other means, and insisted on the inclusion of all parties from Netanyahu's bloc, including Otzma Yehudit. Netanyahu had previously called for a personal meeting with Eisenkot to discuss forming a unity government, but without proposing a rotation or Eisenkot leading the government initially.
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