Full coverage· Security· Updated 19:08

Netanyahu Briefs National Unity Chair Eisenkot on Security Challenges

Benjamin Netanyahu met Gadi Eisenkot in Jerusalem on Thursday for a security briefing at the Prime Minister’s Office. The meeting came after Eisenkot challenged Netanyahu’s handling of security briefings and warned against decisions taken before a new government is formed.

10 newsrooms · 3 languages · since 12:02

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Netanyahu Briefs National Unity Chair Eisenkot on Security Challenges — Illustration by baba

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What happened

01Benjamin Netanyahu met Gadi Eisenkot on Thursday at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem for a security briefing attended by Netanyahu’s military secretary.
02Eisenkot had questioned Netanyahu’s authority to make security decisions as a caretaker prime minister and warned against steps that could harm democracy.
03Eisenkot appealed to Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara to ensure regular security briefings and intelligence assessments during the government formation period.
04Netanyahu’s office called Eisenkot’s letter irresponsible and said security decisions were being made only on security grounds.
05Several reports said the meeting was the first between Netanyahu and Eisenkot since the election.
06One report said Netanyahu invited Eisenkot to join a unity government after their sharp public exchange.
07The reports place the meeting amid tensions over Iran and delays in parliamentary arrangements, including the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairmanship.

The briefing included Netanyahu’s military secretary, and its exact agenda was not disclosed. Several reports said it was the first meeting between the two since the election, while one described the encounter as a political and security update.

Eisenkot had written to Netanyahu saying that, as a caretaker prime minister, he should act with extreme caution on security matters and not take steps that could harm democracy or public trust. He also appealed to Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara to ensure he received regular security briefings and intelligence assessments.

Netanyahu’s office rejected Eisenkot’s criticism as irresponsible and politicized, and said all decisions were taken only on security grounds. One report said Netanyahu invited Eisenkot to join a unity government. The meeting took place as Eisenkot was tasked with forming the next government, and amid reported tensions around Iran and parliamentary arrangements.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 6 newsrooms. Updated 19:12