Yashar party leader and Member of Knesset Gadi Eisenkot sent a formal letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday. The correspondence urged the head of government to exercise heightened caution and national responsibility in security and strategic decisions. Eisenkot emphasized the need for restraint until a new government is officially formed and sworn in.
The move follows a report by N12 on Tuesday, which revealed that a dispute between Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir has resurfaced. The disagreement centers on potential military action against Iran. Eisenkot’s intervention highlights the tension between the caretaker government and the ongoing coalition negotiations.
In his letter to the Prime Minister, Eisenkot stated that he demands Netanyahu act with national responsibility during this sensitive period. He specifically advised exercising restraint against dangerous moves that could wait until a new government, which enjoys the confidence of the Knesset, is established. Eisenkot warned against desecrating the public trust in government institutions and the decision-making process.
The political landscape remains complex as a deadlock persists between Netanyahu’s bloc and the group seeking to replace him. Following the October 27 elections, a new government has yet to be formed. Consequently, Netanyahu continues to serve as caretaker prime minister. President Isaac Herzog granted Eisenkot the mandate to form the next government, giving him 28 days from Sunday to do so, with the option for a 14-day extension. The 26th Knesset was sworn in on Tuesday despite the ongoing negotiations.
Eisenkot also appealed to Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara for intervention. He requested her assistance to ensure he receives regular security briefings from the Prime Minister. The goal is to maintain effective oversight, ensure a proper national decision-making process, and safeguard security interests. By law, the prime minister must provide the opposition leader with a security briefing at least once a month.
Eisenkot requested this position because no new opposition leader has been officially appointed to replace Yair Lapid while coalition talks continue. In his letter to the Attorney General, Eisenkot argued that in the absence of a newly appointed opposition leader, he should receive regular, structured, and comprehensive security briefings as the lawmaker tasked with forming a government. He also sought access to intelligence assessments.
The Prime Minister’s Office responded by defending Netanyahu’s security decisions. The statement asserted that all government decisions were based solely on security considerations and were made in full coordination with the security establishment. The office claimed these actions have brought unprecedented achievements for the State of Israel and that this trend will continue.
The PMO criticized Eisenkot’s letter as an irresponsible move that publicly discusses sensitive security matters. The statement described the action as a transparent attempt to politicize Israel’s national security issues. It also suggested that instead of sowing fear and division, political figures should act responsibly.
Eisenkot pushed back against the Prime Minister’s Office response. He questioned why Netanyahu had refused his request to receive operational briefings through official channels, a practice that is customary. Additionally, the Yashar leader accused Netanyahu of attempting to delay the convening of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee until the following week.
Eisenkot stated that he will not allow a vacuum in oversight of a government that has lost the confidence of the Knesset. He emphasized his commitment to preventing even the slightest deviation from security considerations during this transitional period.
