{
  "id": 19185018,
  "title": "Netanyahu again seeks unity government despite mandate denial",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/netanyahu-again-seeks-unity-government-despite-mandate-denial",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-09T16:51:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2026/11/1574257/netanyahu-again-seeks-unity-government-despite-mandate-denial"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged on Monday for a unity government to retain his leadership, following opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot receiving a mandate to form a coalition. Netanyahu asserted in a social media video that a unity government is necessary, disregarding President Isaac Herzog's formal appointment of Eisenkot as the first contender for the government on Sunday. Eisenkot's opposition bloc secured 48 out of 61 seats required for a majority in Israel's parliament elections held on October 27 this year. Meanwhile, Netanyahu's coalition amassed 53 seats. Despite this, Eisenkot emerged victorious in recommendations from parties' discussions with Herzog, as he could count on the support of Arab-majority parties, which secured a record 19 seats following a surge in voter turnout over concerns of racism and marginalization under Netanyahu's right-wing government. In his video, Netanyahu cautioned Israelis against incorporating Arab-Israelis into a future government. \"You cannot form a government with Hamas supporters, a government that depends on Hamas supporters,\" Netanyahu warned, continuing to use a common fear tactic towards Arab-Israeli parties. These parties have denied the accusations of election fraud, which Netanyahu has also made without solid evidence. The opposition faces internal resistance to include Arab-Israeli parties, which could potentially allow them to form a government without joining the coalition, making it unstable. Netanyahu proposed a unity government surrounding his Likud party, seeking to include all Zionist parties and ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties. Avigdor Liberman, a right-wing critic of Netanyahu and head of the smallest opposition party, has firmly stated his opposition to any partnership with Israeli-Arabs, questioning their ideology and anticipating the political repercussions. Liberman, however, has sought the support of ultra-Orthodox parties, despite years of criticism of their stance on mandatory military service for young people. Both Eisenkot and Netanyahu extended confidence in their ability to form a stable government for a complete four-year term during a public display of unity by Liberman's Yashar party. Despite offering a national-unity government together, each has claimed sole authority. Eisenkot openly labeled Netanyahu as dangerous and unfit to lead Israel, citing his inability to prevent the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, his divisive actions, and corruption allegations that could imprison him if he were to lose power.",
  "summary": "JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called again Monday for a unity government that would keep him in power, a day after opposition rival Gadi Eisenkot was given a mandate to form a coalition.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Trump officials look past Netanyahu, push Eisenkot to form government quickly",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/trump-officials-look-past-netanyahu-push-eisenkot-to-form-government",
        "published": "2026-11-09T11:53:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Turkey says new Israeli government will test whether hostility outlasts Netanyahu",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/turkey-says-new-israeli-government-will-test-whether-hostility",
        "published": "2026-11-09T12:46:10.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "Netanyahu calls for all Zionist opposition parties to join him in unified government",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/netanyahu-calls-for-all-zionist-opposition-parties-to-join-him-in",
        "published": "2026-11-09T15:34:51.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Haaretz",
        "title": "Netanyahu renews call for unity government without 'Hamas supporting' Arab parties",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/netanyahu-renews-call-for-unity-government-without-hamas-supporting",
        "published": "2026-11-09T15:57:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Netanyahu again seeks unity government despite mandate denial",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/netanyahu-again-seeks-unity-government-despite-mandate-denial-19230387",
        "published": "2026-11-09T21:41:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}