Eisenkot defends Arab minority amid Netanyahu attacks

Israel's caretaker government, led by PM Netanyahu, has ordered military preparations for a potential strike on Iran, despite significant internal political opposition and calls for restraint from opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot. While Netanyahu retains legal authority for such action, the timing and execution are complicated by domestic political instability and the formation of a new government. Tehran has vowed retaliation if attacked.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has publicly appealed to opposition figures Gadi Eisenkot and Benny Gantz to form a unity government, citing national security concerns including the Iranian nuclear threat. Eisenkot has rejected Netanyahu's public appeals as a 'stunt' and set conditions for any coalition, while also publicly defending Arab citizens against Netanyahu's rhetoric. This indicates a hardening of the opposition's stance and ongoing political deadlock, with the actual outcomes of scheduled talks remaining uncertain.