A day after Yashar Party leader Gadi Eisenkot said he would welcome outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party into a government led by him, the Israeli PM on Monday hinted at accepting the proposal.
Responding to the proposal, Netanyahu said he was prepared to hold talks with different political parties to explore the possibility of forming a broader government, stressing the need for national unity.
“I am ready to enter into discussions with any party to explore forming a national unity government, which is an absolute necessity,” Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu’s response suggests that he is not ruling out the possibility of such an arrangement, although his statement did not confirm any formal agreement with Eisenkot or his party.
Eisenkot’s Offer To Netanyahu
Eisenkot had earlier expressed willingness to include Netanyahu’s Likud party in a coalition led by him. His remarks indicated a willingness to consider a political arrangement that could bring rival parties together.
Eisenkot had further said that he was also open to the participation of the far-right Religious Zionist Party, led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, if both parties genuinely supported the idea of a unity government.
“If members of Likud and the Religious Zionist Party truly believe this is a time for unity, as they told the president, I cannot conceive of any reason why they would not support a government under my leadership and the principles I have presented,” Eisenkot stated.
Eisenkot Gets Mandate To Lead Israel
Earlier on Sunday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog tasked Eisenkot with forming the next government, warning that the country faces uncertainties after the United States’ midterms.
“The State of Israel needs a stable government,” President Herzog said, pointing to the “new political reality” in the US.
Eisenkot, former military chief, faces the task of securing enough support in the 120-member Knesset to build a stable coalition.
