Yashar party leader MK Gadi Eisenkot has sent a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urging him to exercise extra caution and responsibility in security and national decisions until a new government is formed.
Eisenkot also appealed to Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara to intervene to ensure he receives regular security briefings from the Prime Minister.
The letters came after an N12 report on Tuesday that a dispute between Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir over potential military action in Iran had resurfaced.
In his letter to Netanyahu, Eisenkot wrote: “I demand that you act with national responsibility during this sensitive period. Exercise restraint and caution against dangerous moves that can wait until a new government, which enjoys the confidence of the Knesset, is sworn in.”
“Do not desecrate the people’s trust in government institutions and the decision-making process,” he added.
Amid the political deadlock between Netanyahu’s bloc and the bloc seeking to replace him, a new government has yet to be formed following the October 27 elections. Netanyahu will continue to serve as caretaker Prime Minister until a new government is established.
Eisenkot was granted the mandate to form the next government by President Isaac Herzog and has 28 days from Sunday to do so, with the option of requesting a 14-day extension.
In his letter to the Attorney-General, Eisenkot asked her to intervene to ensure he receives regular security briefings from Netanyahu on the current threat assessment, “to ensure effective oversight, maintain a proper national decision-making process, and safeguard security interests.”
PMO Defends Netanyahu
The Prime Minister’s Office issued a response defending Netanyahu’s security decisions, stating that all government decisions “were based solely on security considerations and in full coordination with the security establishment.”
“They have brought unprecedented achievements for the State of Israel, and this will continue to be the case in the future,” the statement said. “Instead of sowing fear and division, people should act responsibly.”
The PMO also described Eisenkot’s letter as “an irresponsible move that publicly discusses sensitive security matters.”
“This is a transparent attempt to politicize Israel’s national security issues,” the statement added.
Eisenkot pushed back against the response, questioning why Netanyahu had refused his request to “receive operational briefings through official channels, as is customary.”
He also accused Netanyahu of attempting to delay the convening of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee until next week.
“I will not allow a vacuum in oversight of a government that has lost the confidence of the Knesset. I will not allow even the slightest deviation from security considerations,” Eisenkot said.
