Netanyahu and Eisenkot hold several talks against the backdrop of the government ultimatum.
Negotiation teams from the Likud led by Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israel Party led by Gadi Eisenkot met on Sunday evening to discuss a possible national unity government, while the two leaders exchanged accusations about who is playing politics with the proposal, Ynet reports.
Netanyahu publicly called on Eisenkot to enter the talks "without preconditions", while Eisenkot rejected the appeal as "another spin" and noted that the meeting was already scheduled even before Netanyahu's admission. He added that the Likud can join an emergency government under his leadership, only if he accepts his principles and distances himself from right-wing forces.
The talks are taking place under the shadow of a strict ultimatum, as Eisencott has 28 days to form a governing coalition, with the possibility of a 14-day extension. If he fails, another MP may get the chance, and new elections remain a possibility. Neither Eisenkot nor Netanyahu have enough mandates to form a government without a coalition with other parties.