Communications adviser Ronen Tzur said Sunday morning on Radio 103FM that US President Donald Trump could force Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot into a unity government. "That possibility definitely exists," Tzur said. "With all the history and the dismal track record of Netanyahu's unity governments, there's a possibility that Trump will call either Eisenkot or Bennett to the White House and say 'I'm guaranteeing this and I'm backing you.' The possibility that they'll say 'no' also exists."
Israeli Politics
Trump may force Netanyahu-Eisenkot unity
Ronen Tzur says US president could summon Eisenkot or Bennett to White House and guarantee the arrangement himself, but they could also say no
Tzur's remarks came after Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar! party, issued a lengthy statement Saturday night that offered no significant new commitment.
"A few words from me to you, my Israeli brothers and sisters, ahead of the coming days," Eisenkot opened. "The vote count is complete and the election is over. Whichever way you look at the numbers, a majority of Israeli citizens, by a margin of more than half a million votes, voted against the government of October 7th and the draft evasion, and in favor of change: a majority among all Israeli citizens, and a majority among the Zionist public that serves."
He described the election as "the most fateful in Israel's history" and said its results were clear, "even though there are those working to cast doubt on them." He pledged to reconnect Israel and end "the culture of lies that Netanyahu led, which tore us apart from within." He promised that under his leadership, "side A will not defeat side B, and the era of 'us' and 'them' is over."
Eisenkot said he would act immediately to realize the clear parliamentary majority "for the benefit of all Israeli citizens," including establishing a state commission of inquiry, advancing mandatory service for all, immediately expanding and strengthening the number of IDF soldiers, proper compensation and recognition for those who serve, canceling the judicial overhaul laws, and more. "Don't let anyone mislead you," he said. "In the State of Israel, the Knesset is what gives its confidence to the government, not the other way around."
He continued: "During the election campaign I set a goal to establish a Zionist, national government with the broadest possible national consensus that will bring healing and fundamental change to the direction Israel is heading."
He laid out four consistent principles for any partnership: recognition of Israel as a Jewish, democratic, liberal and egalitarian state; commitment to the values of the Declaration of Independence; mandatory service for all Israeli citizens — military, national and civilian; and recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization and the obligation to destroy its military-governmental power in the Gaza Strip:
"On the basis of these principles, I intend to establish a Zionist and national government, as broad as possible. To that end I will act in coordination with my partners and work to expand the partnership, in order to realize the will of the voters and immediately improve Israel's internal and international situation.
"Any Knesset member willing to sign onto these principles is a potential partner on the path to establishing a new and better government for Israel," he said. "The door of the government we establish will be open to any elected official who accepts these principles and is willing to rise to the magnitude of the hour."
He addressed the possibility of another election: "It's clear that the high voter turnout, as well as the challenges at hand, require a supreme effort to avoid another election and entry into another prolonged political crisis by any means. On October 27th the public had its say, and the decision on the composition of Israel's next government belongs to Israeli citizens alone, without interference or manipulation, that's how it should be. Now the duty falls on us, the elected officials, to do everything to translate the will of the people."
"The October 7th failure and the subsequent security, internal, economic and international reality demand courageous decisions as soon as possible," Eisenkot said. "I will act in every way to bring the broadest possible national consensus so that we can begin repair and rehabilitation."
He closed with a statement on the war:
"Finally, the war against our enemies is not over. The war's objectives have not been achieved. Until the government is formed, I will give backing to military operations only if there are direct and immediate threats against Israel that cannot wait until the government is sworn in."
"Let's not fool ourselves. We face weeks that are full, complex and laden with spin and lies. I intend to act with courage and out of great commitment to the voter and the state in order to realize their will, quietly and creatively. We will do it and we will succeed, for all of us and for the State of Israel. I am committed."
