Netanyahu: The Arab parties seek to destroy the Jewish state. They must not be part of a government

Live updates

1. 25m ago

   Eisenkot cancels coalition talks after Netanyahu's Knesset speech on Arab parties

   Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot has halted coalition negotiations with Likud following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Knesset address declaring Arab parties seek to destroy the Jewish state. The speech, which Netanyahu framed as a call for unity, has instead deepened political fractures. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant's successor, Eisenkot, cited the rhetoric as incompatible with a unity government. Meanwhile, Netanyahu's office dismissed Eisenkot's separate warning against non-urgent military action as irresponsible, and Eisenkot has petitioned the Attorney General over denied security briefings.

   Why it matters

   Israel is in a post-election coalition-building phase following the 2026 vote. Netanyahu's remarks target the predominantly Arab Hadash-Ta'al and Ra'am parties, whose participation or abstention has been pivotal in past governments. Eisenkot, a centrist figure leading the National Unity party, represents a key bloc Netanyahu needs for a stable majority. The dispute over security briefings adds a constitutional dimension, pitting the Prime Minister against a former military chief now in opposition.

   What is confirmed

   • Netanyahu stated in the Knesset that Arab parties seek to destroy the Jewish state and must not be part of a government.
   • Gadi Eisenkot canceled coalition talks with Likud over Netanyahu's Knesset speech.
   • Eisenkot asked the Attorney General to intervene after Netanyahu refused to provide him security briefings.
   • The Prime Minister's Office called Eisenkot's warning against non-urgent military action 'irresponsible'.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Netanyahu's unity government overture was a tactical maneuver rather than a genuine offer.
   • The speech may permanently alienate the Arab parties whose abstention could enable a Netanyahu-led government.

   What to watch next

   • Whether Netanyahu can form a coalition without National Unity's seats
   • Attorney General's response to Eisenkot's petition on security briefings
   • Reaction of Ra'am and Hadash-Ta'al leadership to Netanyahu's remarks
   Sources used for this update (10)

   1. The Times of Israel — Netanyahu: The Arab parties seek to destroy the Jewish state. They must not be part of a government
   2. Haaretz — Analysis • Netanyahu's Knesset outburst was a new low. He knows he's out of ammo
   3. The Forward — Netanyahu called for unity. His anti-Arab speech to the Knesset may have made it impossible.
   4. The Times of Israel — Eisenkot says Netanyahu refusing to give him security briefings, asks AG to intervene
   5. i24NEWS — Eisenkot urges Netanyahu to avoid non-urgent military action; PMO calls warning ‘irresponsible’
   6. The Jerusalem Post — Israel Election 2026 live updates
   7. www.israelhayom.com — Eisenkot cancels Likud coalition talks over Netanyahu's Knesset speech
   8. Al Jazeera — Netanyahu’s legacy: Personality politics reshapes Israeli democracy
   9. The Times of Israel — Katz insists government doesn't need permission from 'opposition' to launch military ops during post-election period
   10. www.iranintl.com — Eisenkot calls Netanyahu's Iran-linked unity bid 'another spin'
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