Surrogates for US President Donald Trump have spoken with Israeli officials about the prospect of a unity government that would bring together Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot, the chairman of the Yishai party, The Washington Post reported on Monday.
The newspaper quoted a Likud official who contrasted the two men. "Eisenkot has shown he lacks the backbone and the determination that Netanyahu has, and I think Trump understands that," the official said.
The same official described what the American president is seeking. "What Trump wants is a stable and reliable Israeli government that can be formed as soon as possible after the election," the official said.
According to the report, officials within the Trump administration are not united on the question of a unity government in Israel.
Sources told The Washington Post that Netanyahu has informed US officials that he sees Eisenkot as the best partner should fighting between Israel and Iran resume.
The report also said Netanyahu has told American and European officials that partnering with Eisenkot would lead him to push for a more moderate coalition.
The reports drew an angry response from Otzma Yehudit chairman Itamar Ben-Gvir, who on Monday accused Netanyahu and Likud of working to weaken his party ahead of the elections.
Ben-Gvir alleged that the Prime Minister's Office has pledged to European countries that the next government will be a unity government without him. "Instead of bringing votes from Eisenkot, they are trying to lower me below the threshold," he said.
He added that Netanyahu has announced he would not be reappointed as Minister of National Security, and accused Likud of trying to form a unity government that excludes him.
