Netanyahu camp presses for unity government with Eisenkot - report
Netanyahu has reportedly told officials that a coalition with Eisenkot could allow him to govern without far-right partners, an idea Trump is receptive to, according to The Washington Post
Prime Minister Netanyahu’s allies are promoting a potential unity government with his rival Gadi Eisenkot after Israel’s election, with President Donald Trump receptive to the idea, according to a Washington Post report.
The newspaper, citing three people familiar with the discussions, reported that Netanyahu has privately told American and European officials that a partnership with Eisenkot could allow him to form a more moderate coalition without far-right allies, including Jewish Power leader Itamar Ben Gvir.
Netanyahu has also presented himself to US officials as the strongest Israeli partner for a renewed US-Israeli campaign against Iran, the Post reported.
The prospect of a unity government has reportedly been discussed by Trump’s representatives with Israelis even as recent polls showed Eisenkot ahead of Netanyahu. A Likud official told the newspaper that Trump wanted a stable government to be formed quickly after the vote, "what Trump wants is a stable and reliable Israeli government that can be formed as soon as possible after the election.”
If Eisenkot rejects a partnership and coalition talks reach an impasse, Netanyahu could remain in office as caretaker prime minister and seek another election, the Post reported.
The Trump administration, however, is reportedly divided over the proposal. Some US officials believe Netanyahu could govern more moderately without Ben Gvir’s influence, while others distrust the prime minister 'because of his history of breaking with political allies.'