Netanyahu again seeks unity government despite mandate denial

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged on Monday for a unity government to retain his leadership, just a day after his opposition rival Gadi Eisenkot secured a mandate to form a coalition. In a video posted on social media, Netanyahu disregarded President Isaac Herzog, who had formally granted Eisenkot the first opportunity to form a government following Israel's October 27 parliamentary elections.

In the video, Netanyahu cautioned Israelis against the notion of including Arab-Israelis in a future government, warning against the threat of forming a coalition with Hamas supporters. Despite calls for unity, Eisenkot faces resistance within the opposition to incorporating Arab-Israeli parties, which could potentially vote to appoint him as prime minister without joining the government, leaving the coalition fragile.

Netanyahu advocated for a unity government under his Likud party, comprising all Zionist parties and ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties. However, Avigdor Liberman, a right-wing opponent of Netanyahu and leader of a smaller opposition party, has dismissed the idea of partnering with Israeli-Arabs, questioning their ideology and predicting political repercussions.

Liberman has instead sought the support of ultra-Orthodox parties, despite his long-standing criticism of their refusal to induct young people into mandatory military service. Both Netanyahu and Eisenkot have proposed a national-unity government; yet, each maintains that he would be the one in charge.