Eisenkot 'Not Troubled' by Eliasaf Peretz Dispute

Yashar! chairman Gadi Eisenkot said on Friday that he is "not troubled" by the debate surrounding his party colleague Eliasaf Peretz over forming a government with the support of Arab parties. He made the remarks in a public update on his efforts to build a coalition, a week after receiving the mandate.

Eisenkot also addressed the security briefing he held on Thursday night with outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"At the beginning of the week I received the mandate to form a government from the President. On that occasion, and afterward, I appealed to all the Knesset factions and to the Knesset members who agree with the four principles I have laid out to enter negotiations on establishing an emergency government headed by me," Eisenkot said. "This is not lip service. I mean it."

"I want to say again that I intend to leave no stone unturned and to speak with every elected official who agrees with the four principles, with the aim of forming a stable government as soon as possible," he pledged. "This is the need of the hour and this is the mandate you gave me. It would be a bitter mistake not to do so. I believe this is the right way to conduct the negotiations: to build the partnership, broaden the options, advance creative cooperation and, above all, hold a dialogue based on principles. Principles with Israeli interests at their heart, and those alone. I am pleased to report that we are making progress in talks with our partners, while at the same time working to exhaust all options, which I approach willingly, in order to form, in any way possible, a good, stable and beneficial government headed by me. There is no other alternative."

Turning to security tensions, Eisenkot said: "Yesterday I met with outgoing Prime Minister Netanyahu and his military secretary. I will not, of course, go into the content of the conversation. The security situation, as well as the domestic one, requires close oversight of the government during this sensitive transition period. I made clear that I will not allow a lack of oversight. For me, Israel's security is above every other consideration and must never be used to rake in political capital. That is also what I expect of all officeholders."

He also spoke about the Knesset's work since it was sworn in this week. "Alongside the negotiation efforts, we are exercising the majority given for change in the Knesset, with determination and speed. In the first three days of the 26th Knesset, we established the Arrangements Committee, the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and the Finance Committee, appointed excellent people and began the legislative process to establish a state commission of inquiry, alongside repealing laws that harmed democracy," he said. "The days when the outgoing government played heavy-handedly on an 'empty field' are over. The Knesset will once again be the home of the people. Of all the people. On our watch there will be no more insults hurled at bereaved families, and no abuse of the authority the people gave us against other parts of the people. The Knesset will carry out the clear will of the majority of Israel's citizens and fulfill its role as an effective and statesmanlike oversight body."

Eisenkot then addressed the Peretz family. Members of the family had called for avoiding a government backed by Arab parties. "I have known the Peretz family personally and deeply for nearly 30 years. Sadly, I met them in painful and difficult circumstances, twice, but I was privileged to form a lifelong bond with a family that is an example and a model of love for the people and the land," he said. "I was glad that Eliasaf, whom I have known since he was 12, agreed to join Yashar! and take part in the important work of public service and in restoring the Knesset's dignity. I embrace Miriam Peretz and I trust Eliasaf. I know he trusts me and the choices I am making, and will yet make. I am not troubled by this."

"What troubles me is the venomous and ugly campaign being waged these days, including thousands of crude and harsh messages to some of Yashar!'s Knesset members and their families, among them bereaved families who paid the heaviest price," he said. "It is legitimate to disagree and legitimate to criticize. That is part of an elected official's role. But there is no place for incitement and threats. If anyone has a problem with the path I am charting, I am the address. Whoever thinks that messengers of various kinds and venom will deter us probably doesn't know us well enough."

Gadi Eisenkot's statement (Credit: Yashar! Spokesperson)

Eisenkot also referred to Netanyahu's speech at the Knesset swearing-in this week. In his statement, Eisenkot said: "Arab citizens of Israel make up 21 percent of the general population. Since the start of the election campaign, they have faced a racist and violent campaign of delegitimization fueled by the outgoing prime minister and his circle for political reasons. The prime minister of Israel is the prime minister of all citizens, including those who did not vote for him. Arab citizens of Israel are part of the Israeli story. The attempt to push them aside and smear them as a group is an act against the national interest that disgraces the Declaration of Independence and the values we take pride in as a Jewish and democratic state. One can disagree with the representatives of the Arab parties, one can even deeply loathe some of them, but one cannot, it is not proper, and I will not allow, the smearing of an entire sector."

"Complex and important weeks lie ahead of us. I am determined to overcome every difficulty and challenge in order to form a government and bring Israel back to safe shores," Eisenkot concluded. "As usual, these efforts will be accompanied by a great deal of spin and many lies as part of an attempt to thwart the formation of the government. I suggest taking all of it with a grain of salt. When there is something to update, I will do so directly, without intermediaries. This is the leadership I believe in, and this is the leadership I intend to bring to the government I will form."