Netanyahu warns of 'existential threat' from Iran, urges Eisenkot to form 'unity' government
Key Takeaways
- The caretaker prime minister claimed Tehran was rebuilding its nuclear programme and called for a united response.
- Netanyahu urged Eisenkot to begin coalition talks without preconditions and put political disagreements aside.
- Despite receiving the backing of 67 lawmakers to form a government, Eisenkot dismissed Netanyahu's proposal as political 'tricks'.
The Israeli caretaker prime minister calls for political rivals to set aside their differences over national security, but Eisenkot dismisses the proposal as political 'tricks'.
Israeli caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has renewed his appeal to opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form a national unity government, warning that political divisions could weaken Israel's response to what he described as an 'existential threat' from Iran.
In a video statement on Saturday, Netanyahu argued that Israel needed a united government to confront Iran's nuclear ambitions and address the country's security challenges.
"We must remove this existential threat from above our heads once and for all a government that relies on terror supporters will not be able to meet this immense challenge," Netanyahu said.
"But a national unity government will indeed be able to achieve this, and it will be able to achieve this in time, thereby securing Israel's security for many years to come," he added.
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Netanyahu claimed Iran was rebuilding its nuclear programme and warned that Tehran could use nuclear weapons against Israel if it acquired them.
He also suggested that a unity government could strengthen Israel's regional relations and create opportunities for further cooperation.
"A national unity government, which will permanently remove the Iranian threat, will also dramatically expand the circle of peace. It will create opportunities for us for regional cooperation, in addition to the important regional achievements we have already attained in the Abraham Accords and even beyond them," he said.
Turning directly to Eisenkot, Netanyahu urged the opposition leader to abandon efforts to form a separate coalition and begin negotiations without conditions.
"Gadi, I appeal to you: instead of trying to establish a shaky and dangerous government that will not be able to withstand even a fraction of the immense security and national challenges before us, let us do the obvious thing. Let us enter the room without preconditions. Let us put aside all disputes and all boycotts, and reach agreements for the security and future of the State of Israel, including on the draft issue, which can be resolved together with the representatives of the Haredi public," Netanyahu said.
"Together we will stand, and with God's help, together we will win," he concluded.
The appeal came two days after Netanyahu met Eisenkot on Thursday, as negotiations continued following Israel's October 27 parliamentary election.
Eisenkot received the mandate to form a government after securing support from 67 lawmakers.
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However, the opposition leader rejected Netanyahu's latest proposal, describing it as political 'tricks' and maintaining that negotiations to establish a government were already underway.
The election left Netanyahu's bloc and Eisenkot's party alliance without a parliamentary majority, prolonging uncertainty over the formation of Israel's next government.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
