Netanyahu calls for unity government with chareidi parties

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video today (Monday) titled "A unity government is an essential need, it is the need of the hour," in which he laid out his position on forming the next government. The video comes against the backdrop of ongoing talks between the opposition bloc and the chareidi parties.

"Two days ago I called for the establishment of a unity government, and this is the need of the hour," he said in the video. "You know why this is the need of the hour? First of all, because you cannot establish a government with Hamas supporters, with a government that depends on Hamas supporters. You cannot fight Iran and the rest of the forces of radical Islam if you have supporters of radical Islam that you depend on inside the government."

Netanyahu detailed his vision for the government's composition: "A unity government is simply an essential need. This government must include all the parties of the national camp. That includes the chareidi parties as well. It must include all the other Zionist parties. I am not disqualifying anyone. And no one should disqualify anyone. Enough, enough with the boycotts, we need to unite forces in the face of the great challenges before us."

Regarding the question of leadership, the Prime Minister clarified: "And who should lead such a government? Who should lead this government naturally is the largest party. And the Likud under my leadership received the most votes ... In short... let's do what needs to be done, a unity government."

The call comes as President Herzog yesterday granted the mandate to form a government to Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot, after he received the recommendation of 67 Knesset members. According to law, Eisenkot has 28 days to form a government, with the final deadline to present a government being December 6, 2026.

Meanwhile, talks are underway between the opposition bloc and the chareidi parties. A poll published by Kikar Hashabbat shows a complex picture in the chareidi public: 42% of respondents believe that Shas and United Torah Judaism should remain in the right-wing bloc and wait for a Netanyahu-led government, compared to 28.5% who support joining the opposition government in exchange for an arrangement on the draft law.

A senior source in United Torah Judaism told Kikar Hashabbat that the coming days will present a clear picture regarding the political system's willingness to reach an arrangement: "We have a significant week ahead regarding cooperation with the opposition bloc. This is the week that will teach us how much the bloc will truly agree to compromise on the draft issue."

Netanyahu's call joins other voices in the political system calling for unity. Defense Minister Israel Katz said yesterday at the memorial ceremony for Operation Kadesh that "facing the great tasks still ahead of us, we must be united. It is permitted to argue and permitted to disagree, but when the security of the state is at stake, we must know how to rise above the dispute."

Eisenkot and Liberman met today. The two "expressed their full confidence in the ability to establish a stable government for four years," according to the statement released after the meeting.