Netanyahu Attacks Arab Parties, Urges National Unity Government

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attacked Arab political parties, accusing them of seeking Israel's elimination, and called for a national unity government one day before President Isaac Herzog is set to assign the mandate to form a government. Netanyahu urged the "change bloc" parties to join a unity government, but specified it should include his allies from ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox factions, alongside his Likud party. He also took aim at rival Gadi Eisenkot, warning that a government relying on Arab parties, which he labeled terrorism supporters, would endanger Israel and risk civil unrest. Netanyahu claimed such a coalition would not fight Hamas effectively and warned of potential civil war, citing recent unrest in Europe. He argued a unity government would eliminate the Iranian nuclear threat and protect Israel as a Jewish state.