Netanyahu Pushes for Unity Deal

Dimona Mayor Benny Biton declared on Sunday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks a national unity government, a move he says hinges on external guarantees for opposition leaders. Biton, a close ally of the prime minister, outlined a plan to secure support from Yashar party head Gadi Eisenkot by invoking the authority of both the Israeli and American presidents.

Biton stated he spoke with President Isaac Herzog on Saturday. He argued that Herzog, along with US President Donald Trump, would act as guarantors to ensure the unity government remains stable. "I trust that the president of the State of Israel will guarantee this," Biton told Kan News. "But if you do not trust the president of the State of Israel, I also trust the president of the United States, the president of the world's greatest superpower."

The political conflict has intensified over the role of Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana. Biton warned that the opposition’s effort to replace Ohana before a coalition is finalized constitutes a "declaration of war." Likud leadership reportedly informed opposition members that replacing the speaker with support from Arab parties would end the prospect of a unity government. Biton described unilateral parliamentary moves as a red line.

The stakes for both blocs appear high as legislative negotiations stall. Biton emphasized that without a national unity government, Israel faces another election. "If there is no national unity government, we are heading for another election," he said. "Nothing will help anyone. Neither bloc will manage to form a government under any circumstances."

He further predicted that any government formed without Likud would be fragile. Biton insisted such an administration would not survive more than six months. The Likud party maintains that the current standoff forces all parties to choose between a joint cabinet or a return to the polls.