Eisenkot cancels coalition talks with Netanyahu after divisive Knesset speech

The Yashar party, led by MK Gadi Eisenkot, announced on Tuesday that it has canceled a scheduled preliminary meeting with the Likud party. The decision to pull out of the talks came shortly after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a speech in the Knesset that Yashar described as divisive.

Prior to the cancellation, Yashar had issued a statement confirming that a negotiation meeting was set for the following day. The party explained that the meeting was arranged in response to their appeal for all Knesset factions to engage in sincere negotiations. These discussions were intended to be based on four specific principles outlined by Yashar for the formation of a new government.

The party attributed the sudden change of plans to the conduct of the outgoing prime minister. In its statement, Yashar noted that Eisenkot instructed the cancellation due to Netanyahu's divisive speech and what the party viewed as disgraceful behavior during the Knesset swearing-in ceremony. The party argued that such actions dishonored the remaining elements of statesmanship under Netanyahu's rule.

This development follows a call made by Netanyahu on Monday for opposition leaders to join him in a single unified government. The prime minister emphasized the urgent need for such a coalition in the current hour. His speech on Tuesday reinforced this position, citing the threat posed by Iran's nuclear program. Netanyahu insisted that this threat must be destroyed, making unity a priority.

Eisenkot strongly criticized the tone and content of the prime minister's address. The Yashar chairman labeled the speech as delusional, divisive, hateful, and disgraceful. The party claimed that Netanyahu continued to prioritize division among Israeli citizens over the pursuit of constructive negotiations.

In a broader critique, Yashar stated that the outgoing prime minister lashed out at the public, providing another example of his reluctance to seek unity. The party asserted that whenever faced with a choice between the gravity of the moment and his own political survival, Netanyahu consistently chooses himself. They described this pattern as a sad reminder for anyone needing proof of his stance.

Likud quickly responded to the cancellation of the talks. The party stated that Netanyahu remains committed to turning over every stone to achieve national unity. Likud emphasized its willingness to meet with representatives from any faction that desires to form a united government.

The ruling party also expressed puzzlement over the opposition's actions. Likud noted that opposition parties, led by Eisenkot, canceled their scheduled meeting with Likud while simultaneously advancing negotiations with Arab parties. This criticism followed the incident during the swearing-in ceremony where representatives of those parties walked out during the national anthem.

Despite the breakdown in talks, Likud maintained that its commitment to working towards a national unity government remains unchanged. The party indicated that the door is still open for any faction willing to engage in the process of forming a broader coalition.