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Netanyahu fights to stay relevant as Israel’s opposition closes in
Confirmed
In Short: Dozens of delegates walked out of the assembly hall as Netanyahu began his UN General Assembly address, amid growing criticism from world leaders over Israel's war in Gaza.
Benjamin Netanyahu 2012.
WATCH | Israel Power Battle LIVE | Netanyahu vs Gadi Eisenkot | Unity Government Talks Collapse. The Daily Guardian
Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu published a video on Saturday, warning of a civil war if a government were established with the support of Arab parties, which he accused of wanting to 'eliminate the State of Israel.'
Netanyahu faces challenges that could impact his political legacy and personal freedom if Eisenkot succeeds in forming a government.
The Prime Minister's Office denied allegations that Netanyahu received a warning from the UAE president before the October 7 attack, instructing his lawyers to file a defamation lawsuit against Haaretz and journalist Shlomi Eldar.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett confirmed that a phone call between Netanyahu and the UAE president took place, though he did not disclose how he knew this.
The volatile Knesset is eager to review the mistakes of the past, and Netanyahu's political fate now lies with the opposition that outstrips his own numerical support.
Background
President Isaac Herzog has given opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot 28 days to form a new government in Israel, following an inconclusive election that left neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot with a clear parliamentary majority.
What's confirmed
- Netanyahu faces challenges that could impact his political legacy and personal freedom if Eisenkot succeeds in forming a government.
- The Prime Minister's Office denied allegations that Netanyahu received a warning from the UAE president before the October 7 attack, instructing his lawyers to file a defamation lawsuit against Haaretz and journalist Shlomi Eldar.
- Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett confirmed that a phone call between Netanyahu and the UAE president took place, though he did not disclose how he knew this.
- The volatile Knesset is eager to review the mistakes of the past, and Netanyahu's political fate now lies with the opposition that outstrips his own numerical support.
What's still developing
- “There’s no appetite on the other side to go in with Netanyahu for a unity government,” Levy said, “The only real circumstances under which that happen is if he can create a security emergency,” he said following a weekend where the UK press had reported daily phone calls from Netanyahu to the Trump administration urging renewed war on Iran.
- Two days later, Netanyahu returned to the theme of existential threat in a further video, calling upon the leaders of the more successful bloc to recognise the “needs of the hour” and join, under his leadership, a single unified government that would also include the ultra-Orthodox parties, at least one of which is understood to be in talks with Eisenkot, as well as the prime minister’s controversial allies on the far right, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir.
- In particular, attention is likely to focus sharply on Netanyahu himself, whose supposed miscalculations ahead of the attack, stories of numerous missed warnings and who was subsequently accused of dragging out the war, or sacrificing the welfare off the captives for his own political ends.
- Nevertheless, irrespective of the past political cover offered to their members by Netanyahu, there are suggestions that one of the Ultra Orthodox parties United Torah Judaism (UTJ) – which refused to endorse Netanyahu’s selection to build a government by the President – is preparing to throw in behind Eisenkot, with the objections of one of the opposition’s principal figures Avigdor Lieberman said to be quieted in the face of either partnering with one of the Arab parties or the continued rule of Lieberman’s nemesis, Netanyahu and the prospect of further elections.
- The source declined to say whether the intelligence was attributed to Yahya Sinwar personally, how it was transmitted to Israel, or whether Mohamed bin Zayed discussed it directly with Netanyahu in a phone call, citing the need to protect ongoing discreet channels between the two leaders.
- The office said no conversation took place between Netanyahu and the UAE president from the start of September through October 7, saying the Prime Minister's Office, National Security Council, and Military Secretariat examined Netanyahu's call log and found no trace of it.
- The statement argued the real story is that Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi saw warning signs hours before the attack and could have prevented it had they acted and informed Netanyahu in time.
- Dozens of delegates walked out of the assembly hall as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his UN General Assembly address on Thursday.
- Netanyahu’s speech came as Israel faced growing criticism from world leaders at this year’s assembly over its genocidal war in Gaza.