Gadi Eisenkot, who has been tasked with forming Israel’s next government, has asked outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to launch military or security operations without a direct and immediate threat. The request was conveyed in a letter addressed to Netanyahu, confirmed on Wednesday by the Israeli media outlet Ynet.
In it, the leader of the Yashar party stresses that the current government is transitional and no longer enjoys the support of a majority in the Knesset. Eisenkot has warned Netanyahu of the possible consequences during this political transition in Israel, according to his letter to the outgoing prime minister, which was made public on Wednesday by the Israeli media outlet Ynet, in which the leader of the Yashar party stresses that the current government is transitional and no longer enjoys the support of a majority in the Knesset.
According to Eisenkot, only 46 members of the Israeli parliament continue to support Netanyahu’s mandate as prime minister. Meanwhile, 67 lawmakers have recommended that he form the new government, while seven deputies have not recommended any of the candidates. Israeli President Isaac Herzog officially gave Eisenkot the mandate to form the government on Sunday.
He has 28 days at his disposal to form the new governing coalition, with the possibility of a 14-day extension. In the letter, Eisenkot underlines that Netanyahu must exercise particular caution in making decisions related to national security, especially during this sensitive period of political transition.
He warns that deploying security forces without a direct and immediate threat that cannot be delayed may have devastating consequences for Israeli democracy and public trust in government institutions. The leader of the Yashar party calls on the outgoing prime minister to show responsibility and restraint, avoiding risky moves that could take place until the new government, which will have the confidence of parliament, is sworn in.
The letter comes at a time when Israel is in the phase of political transition, after President Herzog gave Eisenkot the mandate to form the next government.