Israel’s post-election coalition talks faced a new security dispute after former military chief Gadi Eisenkot urged caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid action absent an immediate threat while both blocs seek to govern.
Neither Netanyahu’s bloc nor Eisenkot’s bloc secured a 61-seat majority in October’s election. President Isaac Herzog tapped Eisenkot to try to form a government. Eisenkot said he would seek a national emergency government quickly, while Netanyahu renewed his call on Nov. 11 for a broad coalition that includes his party.
On Nov. 11, Eisenkot called for restraint in a letter to Netanyahu that he shared on X, AFP reported. He warned that using security forces without “a direct and immediate threat” could harm Israeli democracy and public trust. Eisenkot also said initiatives that could wait until a new government takes office should be postponed. AFP reported that during the campaign, Eisenkot warned Netanyahu against using military action to secure his political survival.
At Parliament’s Nov. 10 inauguration, Netanyahu said Tehran was seeking to rebuild its nuclear program and described the danger as existential.
Netanyahu’s office accused Eisenkot of “politicizing Israel’s national security.” It said the government’s decisions were made for security reasons, with security services involved.
EconoTimes previously covered Eisenkot’s warning during coalition talks.
