Unfit to remain in office': Eisenkot hits out at Netanyahu over 'divisive' speech

Résumé détaillé

Gadi Eisenkot accused Benjamin Netanyahu of delivering a divisive speech at the Knesset swearing-in. The clash sharpened Israel's political deadlock as coalition negotiations remained uncertain.

Gadi Eisenkot, who is seeking to form Israel's next government, on Tuesday called caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unfit to remain in office, accusing him of delivering a "hate-filled" and divisive speech during the swearing-in of the 26th Knesset.

In a post on X, the Yashar party chairman said Netanyahu had used the parliamentary ceremony to deepen divisions in Israel rather than bring political parties together.

"I sat and listened to the delusional, divisive, hate-filled and shameful speech of the outgoing prime minister, in which he exploited a state occasion at the swearing-in of the 26th Knesset," Eisenkot wrote.

"I became even more convinced that he is unfit to remain in office for even one minute more."

Eisenkot renewed his pledge to form a "national emergency government", arguing that Netanyahu's continued leadership was dividing Israel and putting its security at risk.

His remarks came after Netanyahu called for the formation of a national unity government during the opening session of parliament, citing growing security threats from Iran. Netanyahu accused the Arab-led Joint List and Ra'am of seeking "the destruction of the Jewish state" and said Israel needed a broad political alliance to deal with the challenges ahead.

"Only such a (unity) government will be capable of confronting challenges of this magnitude," Netanyahu said.

The 120-member Knesset was sworn in on Tuesday following the October 27 general election, which left Netanyahu's right-wing alliance without a parliamentary majority. Neither Netanyahu nor his main rival, Eisenkot, has secured enough support to form a government.

Netanyahu's Likud-led alliance with far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties won 53 seats, while Eisenkot's centre-right Yashar party and its partner factions hold 48 seats. Arab-led parties control another 19 seats and have strongly opposed Netanyahu.

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