Gadi Eisenkot, head of the Yesh Atid party, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday at Netanyahu's office in Jerusalem for a security meeting. This meeting was held to address concerns about the potential for a large-scale military attack on Iran during the transitional period of the current government.
Background of the meeting and concerns
This meeting was the first security session between Eisenkot and Netanyahu after the elections on October 27. Eisenkot, who was appointed by President Isaac Herzog to form the new government on Sunday, has 28 days to complete this mission. Until the new government is sworn in, the current government is obligated to continue its work and manage urgent security issues, but it is expected to exercise more caution in important decision-making.
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In a letter Eisenkot wrote to Netanyahu, he urged the Prime Minister to avoid "dangerous maneuvers" that could be postponed until the new government is formed. Eisenkot warned that "deploying security forces in the absence of a direct and immediate threat could have devastating consequences for Israeli democracy and public trust in government institutions."
International pressures and officials' opinions
In this context, reports have emerged of a tense conversation between Netanyahu and former U.S. President Donald Trump, focusing on Iran. In this conversation, Netanyahu sought to resume military actions against the Tehran regime, while Trump emphasized continuing diplomatic approaches and allowing negotiations with Iran.
Netanyahu's office has denied this claim, but reports indicate that Netanyahu has repeatedly contacted Trump's advisors, asking them to increase pressure on Iran. In his speech to the Knesset, Netanyahu warned about international pressures, stating: "We will soon face international pressures to accept Iran with nuclear weapons and the continued existence of a terrorist regime that seeks our destruction."
Before the elections, opposition leaders had warned about the possibility of Netanyahu taking military action against Iran. Avigdor Lieberman, head of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, had called on the Attorney General to investigate potential pressures from Netanyahu on security officials for actions that could lead to an Iranian attack on Israel.
On Wednesday, Lieberman tweeted that "a temporary government is not authorized to make decisions that could lead Israel to war, without parliamentary oversight and full agreement from all security officials."
Government maneuvers and defense officials' opinions
Netanyahu and his colleagues reacted to Eisenkot's warning about military actions during the transitional government. In this meeting, Israel Katz, the Minister of Defense, stated that he and Netanyahu, along with the Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Eyal Zamir, are in agreement regarding the threat from Iran and are coordinating their activities fully.
Katz also mentioned that the government does not need opposition approval to order the military to operate in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, or the West Bank. He stated: "We have shown determination and reason in full coordination with the military, and this process will continue based on needs."
On Thursday, Netanyahu's office announced that the security cabinet would meet on Sunday. Reports indicate that this cabinet has not convened for over a month, and Netanyahu and Katz have ordered the military to increase preparations for resuming tensions with Iran.
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