Israeli political leaders clash over unity government and Iran threat

Former army chief Gadi Eisenkot denounced caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent remarks, describing the speech as "delusional, divisive, hate-filled and shameful" and saying it exploited a state occasion. The criticism came shortly after Netanyahu urged the formation of a national unity government, arguing that Israel must stand together against what he called a growing threat from Iran.

Netanyahu, speaking after the first session of Israel's newly elected parliament, warned that the country could soon face international pressure to accept a nuclear-armed Iran and the continuation of a regime he said seeks to annihilate Israel.

Eisenkot responded by accusing Netanyahu of using the occasion for political gain and called the caretaker prime minister "unfit to remain in office for even one more minute." Both leaders lack the 61 seats required to form the next government.

Eisenkot's Yashar party has submitted proposals to parliament, including a demand for an independent commission to investigate the security failures that led to the October 7 Hamas attack, and a call to scrap Netanyahu's proposed judicial overhaul. The party also announced it has enough support to elect former senior military officer Matan Kahana as the new speaker of the Knesset.

Netanyahu, who has faced corruption charges, has refused to support an independent inquiry and prefers a commission whose members would be chosen through political channels. He reiterated his commitment to forming a national-emergency government as quickly as possible.