# Israeli Political Deadlock Deepens as Netanyahu and Eisenkot Trade Sharp Accusations Former army chief Gadi Eisenkot challenges Benjamin Netanyahu amid intense national unity government negotiations. - **Source:** [NDTV – Top Stories](https://www.ndtv.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-10 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/97b215ee-96bf-46e8-9256-0abcaad70666 ## Escalating Political Confrontation Israel faces a severe political deadlock following the October 27 legislative elections. Former army chief Gadi Eisenkot labeled caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent call for a unity government as shameful and divisive. This clash highlights the deep polarization between Netanyahu’s Likud party and Eisenkot’s centrist Yashar bloc during this transition. ## Electoral Mandate and Alliances Likud secured 27 seats, while Yashar finished second with 21. Despite trailing, Eisenkot has reportedly secured support from 67 legislators in the 120-member Knesset. This coalition includes a Jewish-led bloc of 48 members and an Arab-led bloc of 19, though right-wing allies like Avigdor Lieberman remain hesitant about this cooperation. ## Netanyahu’s Unity Government Vision Netanyahu insists that a unity government is an absolute necessity to counter threats from Iran. He explicitly demands the exclusion of any parties he labels as Hamas supporters. Netanyahu argues that the largest party, Likud, must lead this coalition, incorporating Haredi and other Zionist parties to ensure national security stability. ## Security Failures and Investigations Eisenkot’s bloc is pushing for an independent commission to investigate the security failures surrounding the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. Conversely, Netanyahu rejects an independent inquiry, preferring a commission selected through political channels. This disagreement over accountability remains a significant hurdle in forming a unified national emergency government structure. ## Regional Threats and Diplomacy Netanyahu warns that Israel faces imminent international pressure to accept a nuclear-armed Iran. He claims his previous bombing campaigns, supported by Donald Trump, significantly damaged Iran’s nuclear program. Meanwhile, Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons, and the shifting political landscape in the United States adds complexity to Israel’s long-term strategic positioning. ## Domestic and International Isolation Critics argue that Netanyahu’s militarism has deepened Israel’s international isolation and strained relations with the United States. Domestically, the surge of far-right politics has polarized society, while systemic violence has spread across the West Bank. These factors complicate the path forward for any leader attempting to stabilize the fractured nation. ## Proposed Strategic Shifts To pull Israel back from a point of no return, analysts suggest a three-pronged approach: forming an Arab-Jewish unity government, restoring international standing, and reopening peace negotiations. This includes cracking down on settler violence and reaffirming a commitment to a two-state solution to address the ongoing regional security challenges. ## Future Governance Uncertainties With neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot holding a clear, undisputed path to a stable majority, the political future remains volatile. Netanyahu faces ongoing corruption charges, while Eisenkot seeks to scrap previous judicial overhaul plans. The nation waits to see if a functional government can emerge from these deeply entrenched ideological divisions. ## Sources covering this story - [The Hindu – International — Israel's Political Transition After Legislative Elections](https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/point-of-no-return-on-israels-next-government/article71683836.ece) - [Middle East Eye — Netanyahu Demands Unity Government Excluding Hamas Supporters](https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/netanyahu-calls-unity-government-without-hamas-supporters) - [NDTV – Top Stories — Netanyahu and Eisenkot Clash Amidst Israeli Political Deadlock](https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/after-benjamin-netanyahus-unity-call-rival-gadi-eisenkots-shameful-delusional-jab-12309964#publisher=newsstand) - [The New Arab — Eisenkot Urges Netanyahu to Exercise Prudence Over Security Decisions](https://www.newarab.com/news/eisenkot-urges-netanyahu-exercise-prudence-over-security) --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._