Eisenkot Challenges Washington: Rejects Unity Government with Netanyahu Even if Trump Asks

Yesh Atid party leader Gadi Eisenkot ruled out joining a government led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that he would refuse even if US President Donald Trump personally asked him to do so.

The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation "Kan" reported, citing unnamed sources, that Eisenkot said during a recent closed meeting that he would not sit in a government led by Netanyahu. He added that he would agree to meet with Trump if invited, but would oppose any American interference in Israel's internal political affairs.

In the discussions, he said that if Trump called him, he would respect the president and attend the meeting, but he would insist that this is an internal Israeli matter and avoid intervention.

Last week, the Jerusalem Post reported that representatives of Trump spoke with Israeli officials after the elections about the possibility of forming a unity government including Netanyahu and Eisenkot. The Washington Post quoted a Likud official as saying that what Trump wants is a stable and reliable Israeli government that can be formed as soon as possible after the elections.

The American newspaper also reported that Netanyahu told US officials that he believes Eisenkot would be the best partner if hostilities between Israel and Iran resume, and that he would seek a more moderate coalition if they entered into a partnership.