Yashar! party chairman Gadi Eisenkot ordered the cancellation of a meeting with Likud negotiators scheduled for Wednesday as part of talks to form Israel's next government. The decision followed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech at the swearing-in ceremony for the 26th Knesset, which Eisenkot's party described as a "divisive speech."
The meeting had been arranged after Yashar! invited all Knesset factions to negotiate on the basis of four principles it had set out for forming a government.
In his address at the Knesset's swearing-in ceremony, Netanyahu called for the establishment of a national unity government in light of the security challenges facing Israel. "We must put all other considerations aside and establish a national unity government," he said.
At the same time, he attacked the prospect of forming a government with the support of Arab parties. "We cannot rely on a narrow government with supporters of terrorism and enemies of Israel," Netanyahu said.
He claimed that Ra'am and the Joint List rejected Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state, and challenged members of the bloc seeking to replace him: "Is that who you want to form a government with?"
Later in his speech, Netanyahu called for the removal of restrictions he said had been imposed by legal advisers on the investigation into suspected foreign interference in the elections. "We must remove all the restrictions that the legal advisers have placed on investigating these serious suspicions," he said.
His remarks sparked confrontations in the plenum, during which former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett shouted, "What about the Qatari advisers?" in a reference to the Qatargate affair.
Bennett also demanded the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the Oct. 7 massacre, prompting National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to lash out at him.
Following the exchanges, Eisenkot decided to cancel the meeting planned for Wednesday between the two parties' negotiating teams.
"In light of the outgoing prime minister's divisive speech and his disgraceful treatment of the Knesset's swearing-in ceremony, along with what little remains of the dignity of state institutions under Netanyahu's rule, Yashar! chairman Gadi Eisenkot has now instructed that the negotiating meeting scheduled for tomorrow with Likud representatives be canceled," the party said in a statement.
"Unity is an important value for Israel. Israeli solidarity is a component of Israel's national security, and we will continue working to strengthen both," Yashar! said.
"The outgoing prime minister lashed out at Israeli citizens this evening, providing yet another sad reminder, for anyone who still needed further proof, that Netanyahu does not want unity," the statement continued. "As always, when faced with a choice between rising to the demands of the moment and strengthening Israeli society, or ensuring his own political survival, Netanyahu will always choose himself. At any cost."
Likud responded to the cancellation by stressing that it remained willing to negotiate with parties interested in forming a unity government. "Prime Minister Netanyahu will leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of national unity. Likud is prepared to meet with representatives of any faction that wants unity," the party said.
"Prime Minister Netanyahu stands by his statement that cooperation with supporters of terrorism is impossible, as is cooperation with those who walked out of the Knesset plenum just this evening during the singing of Hatikvah," Likud added, referring to Israel's national anthem.
"It is puzzling that they are canceling a meeting with Likud while continuing to pursue talks with those very people," the party said. Likud emphasized that Netanyahu remained committed to forming a national unity government.
Four principles and conditions for Likud
The four principles presented by Eisenkot include recognition of Israel as a Jewish, democratic, liberal and egalitarian state; a commitment to the values enshrined in Israel's Declaration of Independence; mandatory military, national or civilian service for all citizens; and recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization, along with a commitment to destroying its military and governing capabilities in the Gaza Strip.
Eisenkot has made clear that any Knesset member who accepts those principles could become a partner in a government under his leadership.
In response to Netanyahu's earlier call for a unity government, Yashar! set three conditions for Likud's participation: severing its alliance with parties Yashar! described as extremist, accepting Eisenkot's four principles and agreeing to join a government headed by Eisenkot.
The party said at the time that Netanyahu's appeal for unity could not be taken seriously unless Likud accepted those conditions.
The negotiations are taking place after President Isaac Herzog tasked Eisenkot with forming the next government following consultations with Knesset factions.
Eisenkot secured the recommendations of 67 Knesset members, compared with 46 who backed Netanyahu, while United Torah Judaism declined to endorse either candidate.
Eisenkot has 28 days to form a government, with the possibility of an extension of up to 14 additional days.
