Israel faces fresh political turmoil as Benjamin Netanyahu pushes for renewed military action against Iran while operating a caretaker government without a parliamentary majority, Axios reported.
President Donald Trump has rejected calls to return to active combat, siding instead with Gulf allies favoring a naval blockade and economic pressure.
“I could end it immediately. At the request of the nations that I’m looking to protect, we are doing it a little bit longer way, a little bit more civilly,” Trump said on Thursday. The president added that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain all prefer a waiting period while Iran’s economy deteriorates.
As political pressures mount following the October 27 parliamentary election, Israeli opposition figures express alarm that Netanyahu might provoke a conflict to undermine efforts by rival lawmakers to form a new coalition.
Caretaker Government Standoff
Netanyahu lost his parliamentary majority in the October vote, leaving his administration in a caretaker capacity that could persist for months while the opposition struggles to build a governing coalition. Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot received the mandate to form a new government, though it remains unclear whether he will succeed.
“A caretaker prime minister can legally take Israel to war, including against Iran,” Ehab Jabareen, an analyst and Palestinian citizen of Israel, told Al Jazeera.
Israeli media outlets reported that Netanyahu pressed Trump during phone calls for a renewed military campaign.
Eisenkot met with Netanyahu for two hours on Thursday to review the security situation regarding Iran.
“I made it clear that I will not allow a lack of oversight of the prime minister’s actions during the government transition,” Eisenkot said in a statement on Friday reported by Axios.
“For me, Israel’s security takes precedence over every other consideration and must never be used as a means of political capital. This is also what I expect of all officeholders,” Eisenkot added.
Israeli officials meet U.S. leaders amid regional security warnings
Diplomatic contacts continue as Israeli strategic affairs minister Ron Gofman travels to Washington to meet with CIA Director John Ratcliffe. Gofman is also scheduled to travel to Miami to meet White House envoy Steve Witkoff.
Despite the lack of immediate Israeli plans for a strike, U.S. Central Command recently alerted the Israeli military to prepare for a potential resumption of hostilities, according to CBN. Gulf Arab states have reportedly received similar warnings regarding the security situation.
Trump maintained in an interview with Salem News, as reported by CBN, that he would consider it a defeat if Iran’s current regime remains in power at the end of his presidency. Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council chief warned on social media that any military bases involved in a new American attack would become legitimate targets.
Questions about Israeli government formation and U.S. policy
Who is currently leading the effort to form a new Israeli government?
Gadi Eisenkot received the official mandate to form a new government following the October 27 parliamentary election where Benjamin Netanyahu lost his majority, as reported by Axios.
What is the official U.S. position on returning to military action against Iran?
President Donald Trump has rejected pressure from Netanyahu to return to combat, choosing instead to support a naval blockade and economic pressure campaign in coordination with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.
How have regional neighbors reacted to the ongoing tensions?
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain prefer a prolonged waiting period and economic pressure while Iran’s economy deteriorates, Axios reported.
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