ByTZVI JASPERJUNE 27, 2026 23:46Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to establish a "broad national government," he announced during a Saturday press conference about the newly signed US-Israel-Lebanon trilateral agreement, raising concerns and criticism from other Israeli politicians.During the press conference, Netanyahu condemned unnamed forces which "want to cause a rift in the people, want to aggravate and deepen the misunderstandings and disagreements and rifts within us.""We must make every attempt to solve problems with broad understanding and agreement," he said. "There are enemies outside and they are certainly waiting for us to start a civil war. And I say as Begin said, no more civil war. I intend to establish a broad national government."Israeli politicians reacted to Netanyahu's statement with derision."Netanyahu, the one responsible for the greatest disaster in Israel's history will not form a unity government or any government," Democrats chairman Yair Golan responded in a post on X/Twitter."You are more than welcome to unite with Ben-Gvir, Smotrich, and the haredi [ultra-Orthodox] parties in the opposition. This is the moment when all parties in the liberal and democratic bloc must make it clear that they will not sit in a government with Netanyahu," he said.Blue and White leader MK Benny Gantz stated that he did not believe Netanyahu."If it were up to you, you'd form another government with the haredi parties and with extremist elements that will continue to sabotage Israel," he posted. "The fact that you read polls and understood what Israel wants after the elections doesn't mean you'll break your alliance with 'the bloc' and respect the will of the people."Gantz also announced his intentions to form "the bloc of the people of Israel" and establish his own broad Zionist government."This," he explained, "is the only thing that will enable us to address all of Israel's societal challenges at all and prevent the next massacre and many disasters looming on the horizon."Eisenkot condemns Netanyahu, calling for unityYashar! party head Gadi Eisenkot said that Netanyahu was "A prime minister who blindly led to a historic low, who works day and night in division and incitement, who invests all his energy in encouraging evasion," and that he is "not worthy of these people and certainly not to preach a moral about unity.""The people of Israel will replace the one who was in the position of prime minister on the morning of the October 7 massacre and has been running away from responsibility since then," Eisenkot proclaimed. "We will establish a government with a Zionist and national majority, which will take care of Israel's interests. We will reconnect the people of Israel. Because Israel must win."National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called Netanyahu's statement "very disturbing."Previous governments that have incorporated left-wing members, he said, have "paralyzed the ability to promote a determined right-wing policy."Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir insisted, must form a fully right-wing government.Sa'ar shows support for Netanyahu national governmentNetanyahu also garnered some support for his statements, with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar saying that he "reflects the direction required for the country."After October 7, 2023, there is no longer room for politics of boycotts and disqualifications," he explained. "Israel will also, in the coming years, be engaged in a struggle for its existence and future. A broad national government is therefore a clear national interest."Follow us on Google