Israel: Benjamin Netanyahu pleads to form a unity government under his leadership without having received the mandate

Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Monday, November 9, his call to form a government of national unity under his leadership despite the Israeli president's decision to entrust his rival Gadi Eisenkot with the task of forming a coalition after the legislative elections in Israel. “Two days ago, I called for the formation of a government of national unity, and this is the imperative of the moment,” declared the outgoing Prime Minister in a video posted on Instagram.

This government should bring together the parties in its camp, particularly the ultra-Orthodox, as well as other Zionist groups, he said. “And who should lead such a government? Naturally, the party that should lead this government is the largest party,” he continued, arguing that his party, Likud, had received 250,000 votes more than its main competitor, Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar.

Benjamin Netanyahu also excluded any coalition dependent on those he describes as “Hamas supporters”, in reference to the Israeli Arab majority lists which won the record number of 19 seats in the election, believing that such a government could not effectively fight Iran and “radical Islam”. These statements come as Gadi Eisenkot, recommended by 67 deputies, was officially tasked on Sunday with forming the next government. He has 28 days to achieve this, with a possible extension of 14 days.

New elections in case of deadlock

But the negotiations promise to be difficult. United by their desire to end Benjamin Netanyahu's two decades in power, the parties supporting Gadi Eisenkot differ on how to achieve this. Thus, Avigdor Liberman, leader of the secular nationalist party Israel Beitenou (seven seats), refuses any coalition dependent on the support of Arab parties, whose support would nevertheless allow the opposition to have a comfortable majority.

Gadi Eisenkot can also form a minority government, with 48 deputies against 46 loyal to Benjamin Netanyahu, while the other 26, from Arab and ultra-Orthodox groups, would abstain during the vote of confidence in his government. But this option also faces opposition from Avigdor Liberman, as well as the reservations of other potential partners.

Despite these disagreements, Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party said Monday, after a meeting between the two men, that they had expressed their "full confidence in their ability to form a stable government for the next four years." If Gadi Eisenkot fails to form a coalition, another candidate could be nominated. In the event of a confirmed deadlock, new elections could be organized next year.