Eisenkot cites 46 MKs backing Netanyahu as he seeks court access to security data
The Yashar party leader has asked the Attorney General to enforce his right to regular briefings while he works to form a new government.
By Adrian Kovalenko ·
Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, has asked the Attorney General to step in and ensure he receives regular security updates from the current prime minister. Eisenkot is tasked with forming a new government after President Isaac Herzog assigned him that role. He says he is currently excluded from the flow of intelligence that typically goes to the opposition leader.
The dispute centers on the transition period between the general election and the formation of a new cabinet. Eisenkot argues that because no formal opposition leader exists yet, he is entitled to "regular, structured and comprehensive" briefings. He states that his team has tried to arrange these meetings with staff in the Prime Minister's Office without success.
The political timeline leading to this standoff began last month when the general election was held. Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc lost its parliamentary majority in that vote. On Sunday, Herzog tasked Eisenkot with forming a government because he received the most recommendations from members of the Knesset. Netanyahu remains in place as caretaker prime minister and retains control over the security forces until a new government is sworn in.
Eisenkot highlighted a specific number in his correspondence with Netanyahu. He noted that only 46 MKs still support Netanyahu's continued tenure as prime minister. This count reflects the fact that the ultra-Orthodox party United Torah Judaism did not recommend the incumbent to retain his position. The remaining seats in the Knesset are held by other parties, including 19 seats controlled by Arab parties.
The request for legal intervention follows a public warning from Eisenkot to Netanyahu. Eisenkot advised the caretaker leader against deploying security forces unless there is a direct and immediate threat. He cited reports that Netanyahu was seeking military action against Iran despite objections from senior security officials. An Israeli television report on Tuesday stated that IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir opposed these unspecified actions again. Zamir had reportedly resisted a similar move before the October 27 election, when defense officials feared it could trigger an escalation and derail the vote.
In a letter to Netanyahu, Eisenkot described the current political situation as perhaps the most sensitive the country has ever known. He warned that deploying forces without a direct threat could have devastating consequences for Israeli democracy. He urged Netanyahu to act with national responsibility and refrain from dangerous moves that can wait until a new government with the Knesset's confidence is sworn in. Eisenkot also warned against placing security chiefs in a grave constitutional conflict regarding their duties.
Netanyahu's office responded to the letter by saying Eisenkot was trying to politicize national security. The office stated that all decisions taken by the government were based solely on security considerations and were made in full coordination with the security establishment. It called Eisenkot's move to discuss these issues in public an irresponsible attempt to introduce politicization into the nation's security matters. The office also called on Eisenkot to join a government led by Netanyahu.
Eisenkot countered that Netanyahu has refused his request to get an operational update via official channels. He described this refusal as a break from custom. Eisenkot's path to the Prime Minister's Office remains uncertain. His bloc of parties holds 48 seats, while parties in Netanyahu's governing coalition hold 53. The leaders of Zionist anti-Netanyahu parties, other than Yair Golan of the Democrats, have rejected Arab parties as partners in a potential new government.
