Huckabee denies US push for Netanyahu-Eisenkot unity govt

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on Thursday flatly denied a report claiming the Trump administration is pressuring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form a unity government with Gadi Eisenkot, head of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, calling the story "fake news."

"This story is completely untrue. Not even a little bit," Huckabee said. "The American administration is not trying to interfere in Israel's elections or tell the Israeli prime minister what to do. Period. End of story."

The ambassador also called on Clash Report, the outlet that published the original claim, to retract it. "I very much hope they will walk back this fake publication," he said.

Earlier Thursday, a report circulated that the Trump administration is mediating the formation of a unity government after Israel's elections, under which Netanyahu would serve as prime minister for two years before retiring from politics. According to the report, the Netanyahu-Eisenkot coalition would "work to end regional wars and secure peace agreements, particularly with Saudi Arabia." The report further claimed that Eisenkot's demands included an explicit commitment from Netanyahu to retire, the repeal of judicial reform legislation, and the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the events of October 7.