Gadi Eisenkot is expected to receive the mandate to form Israel’s next government on Sunday, and amid concern that he could persuade the ultra-Orthodox parties to join him, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has returned for the first time since the election to the message of “unity.”
After promoting claims in recent weeks that the election was being “stolen,” Netanyahu said Saturday evening: “Citizens of Israel, this is a time for unity. You know that I called for it during the election campaign and repeated that call afterward. This is the will of the people, and this is what the hour demands.”
At the same time, Netanyahu made clear that he had no intention of abandoning the parties in his bloc as part of any unity government.
“There is only one choice, not national suicide, but national unity,” he said. “I call for the establishment of a national unity government that includes all the parties of the national camp and all the Zionist parties that want to protect our country, the one and only state of the Jewish people.
“A national unity government will permanently remove the Iranian nuclear threat, preserve Israel as a Jewish state and bring unity among us. I call on everyone to show responsibility at this decisive moment. This is what the hour demands. This is imperative for our survival.”
Shortly before Netanyahu’s statement, Israel’s Democrats party issued a message in which it did not rule out cooperation with the ultra-Orthodox parties, but set conditions that would likely be difficult for them to accept.
Against the backdrop of disagreements within the bloc seeking to replace Netanyahu, Democrats leader Yair Golan said: “The Netanyahu government must be replaced, and we must establish a government of rescue and change that will secure Israel’s democracy, security and future. We are committed to making every effort to make that happen.”
Disagreements remain within the bloc seeking to replace Netanyahu, but Golan is not ruling out a government with the ultra-Orthodox
(Photo: Shalev Shalom, Yair Sagi, Yuval Chen, Alex Kolomoisky, Gil Yohanan)
“We are not looking to punish the ultra-Orthodox,” Golan added. “We want a partnership with the Haredi public, but a genuine partnership requires mutual responsibility.
“Unlike Netanyahu, we will not go all the way to Bnei Brak or Mea Shearim. Anyone who wants a partnership with us will have to meet us in Ramat Gan. The ultra-Orthodox need to enlist. Their integration into employment needs to expand, and every child in Israel must receive the tools needed to earn a dignified living. The middle class cannot continue carrying the economic and security burden alone.
“And just as we respect the ultra-Orthodox way of life, we expect them to respect ours as well. In our municipalities, people must be able to go out on Shabbat, drink coffee and, heaven forbid, even get there by public transportation.
“We are extending a hand out of a genuine desire to establish a government of change. We are absolutely not giving anyone a blank check. Anyone who wants to work with us will have to be prepared for change.”
First published: 19:54, 11.07.26