Full coverage· Politics· Updated 06:31

Netanyahu Urges National Unity Government, Invites Eisenkot to Unconditional Talks

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Gadi Eisenkot on Saturday evening to enter unconditional negotiations to form a national unity government. Netanyahu argued that a broad coalition is essential to address Israel's security challenges, particularly the existential threat of Iran's nuclear program, and to resolve the Haredi military conscription issue. He warned that a narrow government or one reliant on Arab parties, whom he characterized as supporters of terrorism, would be unable to confront these challenges.

25 newsrooms · 5 languages · since 14 Nov, 17:35

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What happened

01Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Gadi Eisenkot on Saturday to begin unconditional negotiations for a national unity government.
02Netanyahu cited Iran's nuclear program as an existential threat that requires a broad coalition rather than a narrow government.
03The Prime Minister proposed resolving the Haredi military conscription issue collaboratively within the framework of a unity government.
04Eisenkot rejected the public appeal as a spin, noting that party negotiating teams were already scheduled to meet on Sunday.
05Eisenkot accused Netanyahu of trying to delay the government formation process and of inciting national division.
06Reports indicate Eisenkot plans to propose a unity government led by himself for four years, excluding Netanyahu due to his trial.
07The public exchange followed a two-hour security briefing held between Netanyahu and Eisenkot on Thursday.

Eisenkot dismissed the Prime Minister's public appeal as a political maneuver and a spin, pointing out that negotiating teams from their respective parties had already scheduled a meeting for Sunday, November 15. He accused Netanyahu of attempting to delay the formation of a new government and sow division. Eisenkot, who is currently working to assemble his own coalition, has conditioned his participation in a government on Netanyahu severing ties with extremist parties.

Reports indicate that Eisenkot plans to propose a unity government led by himself for a full four-year term, without a rotation agreement, which would exclude Netanyahu from serving as a minister due to his ongoing trial. Meanwhile, Netanyahu and Likud supporters have urged the rejection of Eisenkot's potential proposal, while freshman Likud representation and Bezalel Smotrich have publicly joined the calls for unity.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 14 newsrooms. Updated 10:07