Eisenkot dismisses Netanyahu’s unity government proposal

Israeli caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his calls for a national unity government with opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot on Saturday. However, Eisenkot dismissed the proposal as a "ruse", accusing Netanyahu of attempting to sow division and stoke tensions. The two leaders met on Thursday, further solidifying the belief that a national unity government is essential to guarantee Israel's security and eliminate the Iranian threat.

Netanyahu proposed that such a government would be made up of parties that recognize Israel as a state for the Jewish people and address security challenges, particularly Iran's nuclear ambitions. He warned against Eisenkot's plan for a minority government, which would require only 48 out of 120 Knesset members to vote in favor for it to be approved without an absolute majority.

Eisenkot, in response, accused Netanyahu of playing tricks by appealing for a unity government while negotiations were already underway. He vowed to break ties with extremists and insisted on a sincere political partnership, including the appointment of Matan Kahana as Knesset Speaker, a post currently held by Netanyahu ally Amir Ohana.