Netanyahu and Eisenkot Meet for Security Briefing; the Two Issue Joint Statement

In depth

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yisrael Beytenu chairman Gadi Eisenkot issued a joint statement on holding a diplomatic-security briefing meeting. The meeting was set after days of exchanges between the two, during which Eisenkot demanded that Netanyahu refrain from significant security moves during the transitional government period, and the Prime Minister's Office accused him of bringing political considerations into security matters.

The meeting took place at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, attended by the military secretary, Maj. Gen. Guy Markizano, and lasted about two hours. At its conclusion it was stated that Eisenkot was briefed on the security and diplomatic challenges facing Israel, and that they agreed to continue mutual updates as needed.

Following the meeting, Eisenkot said that the internal and security situation requires close oversight of the government, and that he is working to explore the options for establishing an emergency government under his leadership. In the Likud they attacked Eisenkot and Liberman, claiming that their attempts to limit the powers of the Prime Minister harm democracy.