Netanyahu Urges National Unity Government to Counter Iranian Threat Amid Political Deadlock

Israeli caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has renewed his call for a national unity government alongside his rival, Gadi Eisenkot, asserting that such a coalition is the only way to guarantee Israel’s security.

In a video statement released Saturday, Netanyahu claimed that a recent meeting with Eisenkot had "strengthened the conviction" that forming a national unity government is essential. He argued that a unified front could "eliminate the Iranian threat once and for all," warning that Tehran would not hesitate to utilize nuclear weapons against the state.

Despite Netanyahu's call to meet "without preconditions," Gadi Eisenkot quickly dismissed the appeal as a political ploy. The former army chief stated that Netanyahu "knows he lost the election" and characterized the call for negotiations as a trick that would not work.

The political landscape remains divided following the October 27 election, where no party won a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious bloc secured 53 seats, while Eisenkot’s four-party bloc earned 48 seats, and Arab-led parties won a record 19 seats.

President Isaac Herzog has tasked Eisenkot with forming a government after 67 lawmakers, including those from Arab-led parties, endorsed him, compared to 46 who backed Netanyahu. Eisenkot has 28 days to form a government, with a potential 14-day extension, though he has ruled out including Arab-led parties in his coalition.

Eisenkot's proposed minority "national emergency government" would see his 48 lawmakers vote in favor, while the 26 lawmakers from Arab and ultra-Orthodox parties abstain, allowing the government to be approved without an absolute majority. Netanyahu has warned that this approach would lead to Israel’s "collapse."

The two leaders differ significantly on coalition composition. Netanyahu's vision involves Jewish parties from the center and right, excluding Arab parties, following unsubstantiated claims that Arab-led parties "stole" the election. In response, Eisenkot has labeled Netanyahu’s campaign against them as "racist."

Eisenkot has indicated a willingness to work with members of Netanyahu’s Likud party and Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionism if their commitment to unity is sincere, provided there is a "break with the extremists," specifically supporters of far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

The Knesset will elect its speaker on Tuesday, with Netanyahu ally Amir Ohana currently holding the post, while the opposition has nominated Matan Kahana, a former military officer, as his replacement.