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Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot has ruled out joining a government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, even at the request of U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported, citing closed-door conversations.
"I will not sit in a government led by Netanyahu," Eisenkot was quoted as saying.
"If Trump invites me, I will respect the president and attend, but I will stress that this concerns internal Israeli affairs, and I will prevent any interference," he added.
After the report, Eisenkot said: "In recent days, false reports and many spins have been published about my political activity and my party’s. This is the way of old politics, not ours."
"False spins will not affect decision-making, only the right thing to do for the State of Israel," he said, pledging to update the public "in a detailed, reliable and full manner. In my name and in my voice."
Kan also reported that Netanyahu’s associates told Eisenkot that unity government talks would not take place if Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana is replaced, or while an attempt to replace him is underway. Eisenkot’s associates said replacing Ohana would be advanced and joining a Netanyahu government was not on the table, according to Israeli media.
Netanyahu said Monday he was open to a broad government but insisted on leading it.
"A clear majority of the Jewish public chose Likud as the largest party and chose me, as prime minister, to lead the next government," he said, adding, "We seek to establish a broad government with our partners and with any party that wishes to join and does not support terrorism."
He ruled out a coalition with the Arab-majority lists, alleging they "support terrorism and deny the existence of the Jewish state."
Arab party leaders have condemned the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack.
Naftali Bennett's Together, Yair Golan's Democrats, and Avigdor Liberman's Yisrael Beytenu will recommend Eisenkot, giving him 48 lawmakers. The two Arab lists are expected to recommend him too, potentially raising his backing to 67 of 120.
Liberman, however, has rejected a government that includes or relies on Arab parties.
"The opposition suffered a resounding failure in the elections. Winning 48 seats was far below our expectations," he said, blaming Eisenkot.
Golan warned Netanyahu "will not hesitate to push Israel toward a security escalation and declare a state of emergency to obstruct the transfer of power."
Opposition leaders were to meet Tuesday in Herzliya, their first meeting since the vote.
President Isaac Herzog begins consultations Wednesday and has until Nov. 11 to choose a candidate, who will have 28 days, extendable by 14, to form a government.
Eisenkot’s refusal to serve under Netanyahu narrows the path to a unity government.
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