MK Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar party, sent a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, urging him to exercise restraint and avoid potentially dangerous security decisions while serving as caretaker prime minister.
"I demand that you act with national responsibility during this sensitive period. Show restraint and caution, and avoid dangerous moves that can wait until a new government enjoying the Knesset's confidence is sworn in. Do not undermine the public's trust in the institutions of government and the decision-making process," Eisenkot wrote.
Earlier Wednesday, Netanyahu warned that Israel was facing a moment of testing, which he said underscored the need for political unity. "I cannot tell you everything I know, but there are enough people here who know what enormous challenges lie ahead of us, and what enormous opportunities as well," Netanyahu said at the Knesset. "That is why I say that I believe that at moments like these, we can and must come together. That is what the people want. These are the moments that test us. This is what the hour demands, and I will continue to extend my hand until hearts meet and hands join."
'You must act with national responsibility'
Eisenkot urged Netanyahu to exercise exceptional caution and responsibility in making security and national decisions, citing the complex political situation and his status as caretaker prime minister. "I am addressing you as someone who still holds the reins of government and remains responsible for the security of the State of Israel, the Israel Defense Forces and the security services," Eisenkot wrote at the beginning of his letter. "As you well know, you are now serving as a caretaker prime minister who no longer enjoys the confidence of the Knesset. Only 46 Knesset members still support your continued tenure as prime minister."
"In recent weeks, deeply troubling reports have emerged concerning the introduction of extraneous considerations into the most sacred of domains: Israel's security," the letter continued. "In this complex and sensitive political situation, perhaps the most sensitive our country has ever known, you have a duty to exercise exceptional caution and responsibility when making security and national decisions, as well as to instruct the heads of the security organizations regarding decisions that require the prime minister's approval. Deploying the security forces in the absence of a direct and immediate threat that cannot be deferred could have devastating consequences for Israeli democracy and for citizens' trust in the institutions of government."
Eisenkot went on to demand that Netanyahu demonstrate restraint and caution. "I demand that you act with national responsibility during this sensitive period. Show restraint and caution, and avoid dangerous moves that can wait until a new government enjoying the Knesset's confidence is sworn in. Do not undermine the public's trust in the institutions of government and the decision-making process. You must not place the heads of the security establishment in a difficult constitutional conflict or leave them uncertain about what is required of them and what the right course of action is. Allow them to uphold the sacred duty entrusted to them without doubt."
Netanyahu responds: 'An irresponsible move'
The Prime Minister's Office responded to Eisenkot's letter, calling it "an irresponsible move."
"All decisions made by the government under Prime Minister Netanyahu's leadership have been based solely on security considerations and made in full coordination with the security establishment. They have brought unprecedented achievements for the State of Israel, and that will continue to be the case in the future.
"Instead of sowing fear and division, one must act responsibly. Eisenkot's letter is an irresponsible move that publicly discusses sensitive security matters.
"This is a transparent attempt to inject politics into issues concerning Israel's national security. Instead of trying to form a government with supporters of terrorism, Prime Minister Netanyahu once again calls on Gadi Eisenkot to join a government that fights terrorism," the statement said.
