Netanyahu defends National Union Government for “Israel Security”

O israeli Prime Minister again today defends a government of national union with his rival Gadi Eisenkot as the only way to “guarantee Israel’s security” before Iran, a threat that he promises to eliminate once and for all.”.

The meeting of Benjamin Netanyahu, on Thursday, with Gadi Eisenkot, in charge of forming the next Israeli executive, “just strengthened his conviction that it is essential at this time to form a government of national union”, said the ruler at the end of his term in a video.

According to Netanyahu, this government should bring together “all parties” that recognize “Israel as the state of the Jewish people” in order to face security challenges, especially Iran, whose regime, he assured, “will not hesitate to use nuclear weapons” against the Israelis.

With the support of 67 deputies after the legislative elections of 27 October, Eisenkot has a 28-day deadline, extended by 14 more, to form government, after a suffrage that did not result in a clear majority.

The negotiations promise to be difficult, especially with regard to the participation of the Arab Israeli parties, which hold 19 seats and can play a decisive role.

The Government of National Union defended by Netanyahu would bring together the leading Zionist Jewish parties, from right to centre, excluding Israeli Arab party forces, which he class as “supporters of terrorism” and which, in his view, “would not be able to face this immense challenge” represented by Iran.

The proposal could go through a system of rotation in the position of Prime Minister between the two, with each one leading the Government alternately, a model that has already been used in Israeli policy.

Eisenkot declared himself willing to welcome members of the Likud, party of Benjamin Netanyahu, and of the Religious Zionist Party, far-right formation of the outgoing finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, on condition that his desire for unity is “sincere” and that he himself leads the government.

However, an agreement between the two rivals seems difficult to implement, since Eisenkot reiterated that he would not rule under Netanyahu.

“Netanyahu asks for negotiations when they are already marked, he says he wants unity, but [...] he divides and sharpens tensions as if there were no tomorrow,” said the former Chief of Staff today.

For the opposition leader, the end-of-term Prime Minister is “aware of his defeat in the elections”.

“Good try, but these maneuvers don’t stick with me,” Eisenkot added, when discussions between the parties of both parties are scheduled for Sunday.

The leader of Yashar also! (Integer!), on Friday, denounced a “racist and aggressive campaign”, which has been led by the outgoing Prime Minister against the Arab-Israeli minority, which represents about 20% of the population.