Eisenkot demands restraint from Netanyahu as caretaker PM

Change Bloc chairman Gadi Eisenkot sent a formal letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday calling on him to avoid dangerous security moves during the transition period. The letter, sent against the backdrop of security tensions and political negotiations to form a new government, carries the heading "Your Security and National Duty at This Hour."

Eisenkot opened his letter by reminding Netanyahu that responsibility for the state's security, the IDF and the security forces still rests in his hands. At the same time, he stressed that Netanyahu now serves as head of a caretaker government that does not enjoy the Knesset's confidence, with only 46 MKs supporting his continued tenure.

"I am addressing you as one who still holds the wheel of power and as one who is still charged at this hour with the security of the State of Israel, the IDF and the security forces," Eisenkot wrote. "At this hour, as is well known, you serve as head of a caretaker government that no longer enjoys the Knesset's confidence, only 46 members of Knesset still support your continued tenure as prime minister."

In the letter, Eisenkot noted that in recent weeks, worrying reports have been published regarding the introduction of considerations foreign to Israel's security. Against this background, he emphasized the duty incumbent on the prime minister to show extra caution and responsibility regarding security and national decisions.

"In this complex and sensitive political situation, perhaps the most sensitive our state has known, you are duty-bound to show extra caution and responsibility regarding security and national decisions," Eisenkot wrote. He added that deploying security forces without a direct and immediate threat that cannot be delayed could lead to devastating consequences for Israeli democracy and citizens' trust in government institutions.

Eisenkot demanded that Netanyahu demonstrate national responsibility and show restraint and caution against dangerous moves that can wait for the swearing-in of a new government that enjoys the Knesset's confidence. "In this sensitive period you are required to show national responsibility, show restraint and caution against dangerous moves that can wait for the swearing-in of a new government that enjoys the Knesset's confidence," the letter stated.

The Change Bloc chairman warned the prime minister against desecrating the public's trust in government institutions and in the decision-making process. "Do not desecrate the public's trust in government institutions and in the decision-making process," he wrote.

Eisenkot also addressed the situation of security establishment heads, calling on Netanyahu not to place them in a difficult constitutional conflict. "You must not place the heads of the security establishments in a difficult constitutional conflict and doubts as to what is required of them and the right thing to do. Allow them to keep without doubts the sacred command placed upon them," the letter stated.

The letter concluded with a quote: "Let every Hebrew mother know that she has placed the fate of her sons in the hands of commanders worthy of it." The appeal comes against the backdrop of Netanyahu's intensive efforts to prevent the chareidi parties from joining a government headed by Eisenkot, alongside his calls for the formation of a national unity government.