Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made a fresh public push for a national unity government, releasing a video statement on Saturday evening after a Thursday security briefing with rival Gadi Eisenkot. Netanyahu said the meeting only strengthened his belief that Israel needs a government including all parties that support the country's existence as the state of the Jewish people. He argued that a narrow government, or one relying on supporters of terrorism, could not handle the security challenges ahead, pointing in particular to Iran, which he says is working to revive its nuclear program. Speaking directly to Eisenkot, he urged him to drop what he called a shaky and dangerous coalition effort and to enter talks without preconditions, including on the draft issue with Haredi representatives. He also tied his appeal to lawmakers who walked out during Hatikvah at the new Knesset's swearing-in, saying the proper answer is a "government of hope."

The appeal lands in the middle of a tense coalition fight. The election left no bloc with a majority, and Israel's president tasked Eisenkot with forming the next government on November 7. Eisenkot dismissed Netanyahu's call as "another spin" and said any unity deal would require Netanyahu to break with his far-right allies. His party had also cancelled a negotiating meeting with Likud after Netanyahu's swearing-in speech, which it called divisive. Netanyahu's statements about Iran's intentions are his own claims, and talks between the sides remain uncertain, so what comes next is still an open question.