Netanyahu renews call for unity government with opponent

Updated / Saturday, 14 Nov 2026 19:26

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Israel's caretaker prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has reiterated his call for a national unity government with his opponent, Gadi Eisenkot, and renewed his vow to eliminate the threat posed by Iran.

A meeting with Mr Eisenkot on Thursday "only strengthened the conviction that it is essential to form a national unity government" to guarantee Israel's security, Mr Netanyahu said in a video statement.

He added that such a government could "eliminate the Iranian threat once and for all".

Mr Netanyahu said the government would be made up of parties that recognise Israel "as a state for the Jewish people".

It would address security challenges, most notably Iran, which he claimed would "not hesitate to use nuclear weapons against us".

With the backing of 67 politicians following last month's election, Mr Eisenkot has been tasked with forming a new government within 28 days, with a possible 14-day extension.

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Negotiations are expected to be difficult, particularly as Mr Netanyahu has waged a campaign to discredit Arab-Israeli parties, which won a record number of seats in the election.

Mr Netanyahu's proposed unity government would bring together key Jewish parties from the centre and right, while excluding Arab parties.

He has indicated he would be open to forming a government with members of Mr Netanyahu's Likud party, as well as outgoing Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionism party, provided their commitment to unity is "sincere".

However, a unity government with Mr Netanyahu himself remains unlikely, particularly after Mr Eisenkot denounced his "racist" campaign against Arab parties.