The Trump administration is pressing for a unity government in Israel that would bring Likud and Gadi Eisenkot together, Israel Hayom reported.
Washington Weighs In
Trump Pushes Likud-Eisenkot Unity Government
Washington is pressing for a coalition between Likud and Gadi Eisenkot, Israel Hayom reported.
The question of a national unity government was already in play on Thursday. Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Liberman set out red lines that block a reported plan by Eisenkot to lead a minority government with external Arab support. Liberman stated that his party would form a coalition of Zionist parties only, without Ra'am, the Joint List, Shas or United Torah Judaism.
Liberman said that a Likud without Netanyahu could be a significant partner. He drew a hard line on the prime minister himself.
"With Netanyahu, the world can turn upside down and we won't sit [with him]," Liberman said.
He also ruled out backing any minority government, "not even a minority government for a transitional period."
The same day, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party attacked Eisenkot. The party was responding to his pledge that Hamas would no longer be in power within 18 months of his entering the Prime Minister's Office. "Gadi Eisenkot is sure the Jewish public is stupid," the party said in a statement. It charged that during his time in the war cabinet, Eisenkot had demanded an end to the war and opposed the conquest of Rafah and entry into the Philadelphi Corridor.
