Benjamin Netanyahu promises to eliminate Iranian threat against Israel “once and for all”

Outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu again pleaded on Saturday for a government of national unity with his rival Gadi Eisenkot, believing that this was the only way to “guarantee Israel's security” against Iran, whose threat he promises to eliminate “once and for all”.

His meeting Thursday with Gadi Eisenkot “only reinforced (his) conviction that it is essential, at this time, to form a government of national unity”, which can “guarantee the security of Israel for many years to come”, affirmed Benjamin Netanyahu in a video statement.

According to him, this government should bring together “all parties” recognizing “Israel as the State of the Jewish people”, to face security challenges, in particular Iran, whose regime “will not hesitate to use nuclear weapons against us”, he assured.

Supported by 67 deputies at the end of the legislative elections on October 27, Gadi Eisenkot has 28 days, possibly extended by 14 days, to form a government after a vote without a clear majority. Negotiations promise to be difficult, particularly around the participation of Israeli Arab parties, which have 19 seats and could play a decisive role.

The government of national unity advocated by Benjamin Netanyahu would bring together the main Jewish Zionist parties, from the right to the center, and would exclude the Israeli Arab groups, which he describes as “supporters of terrorism” and which, according to him, “will not be able to take up this immense challenge” against Iran.

It could be based on a rotation in the post of prime minister between the two men, each leading the government in turn, as already experienced in Israeli political life in the past.

Gadi Eisenkot said he was ready to welcome members of Likud, Benjamin Netanyahu's party, and the Religious Zionist Party, the far-right formation of outgoing Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, on condition that their desire for unity is "sincere" and that he heads the government.

But an agreement between the two rivals remains difficult to envisage, Gadi Eisenkot having repeated that he would not serve under Benjamin Netanyahu. On Friday, he denounced a “racist and aggressive campaign” carried out, according to him, by the outgoing Prime Minister against the Israeli Arab minority, which represents around 20% of the population.