Eisenkot, Netanyahu meet for two-hour security briefing amid tensions over potential Iran strikes

The meeting came a day after Eisenkot asked A-G Gali Baharav-Miara to intervene, saying Netanyahu had denied him the briefings while the government serves in a caretaker capacity.

Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday for a security and diplomatic briefing that lasted more than two hours and was also attended by the prime minister’s military secretary.

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The meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) followed Eisenkot’s requests for security briefings and came amid recent reports of renewed tensions between Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir over the possibility of resuming military action against Iran.

Following the meeting, the two issued a joint statement saying that Eisenkot had been briefed on the security and diplomatic challenges currently facing the State of Israel.

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They also agreed to continue exchanging updates as necessary, the statement added.

Netanyahu’s military secretary, Maj.-Gen. Guy Markizano, was said to have been present in the room throughout the meeting, indicating that the discussion was limited to security matters rather than political issues.

Eisenkot asked A-G to secure security briefings
Eisenkot repeatedly requested to receive security briefings from the prime minister, which he had previously said were denied.

Eisenkot had also urged Netanyahu to exercise caution in making security decisions while the government remains in a caretaker capacity.

On Wednesday, Eisenkot appealed to Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara to intervene and ensure that he receives regular security briefings from Netanyahu on the current threat assessment.

The Yashar leader said the briefings were necessary “to ensure effective oversight, maintain a proper national decision-making process, and safeguard security interests.”

By law, the prime minister must provide the opposition leader with a security briefing at least once a month. Eisenkot had requested the briefings because no new opposition leader has been officially appointed yet.

Amid the political deadlock between Netanyahu’s bloc and the bloc seeking to replace him, a new government has yet to be formed following the October 27 election. Netanyahu will continue serving as caretaker prime minister until a new government is established.

Meanwhile, Eisenkot was tasked by President Isaac Herzog with forming the next government. He has 28 days from Sunday to do so, with the option of requesting a 14-day extension.

The PMO issued a statement on Wednesday defending Netanyahu’s security decisions, saying that all government decisions “were based solely on security considerations and in full coordination with the security establishment.”

Before Thursday’s meeting was announced, Eisenkot had argued that Netanyahu was preventing him from receiving the briefing he requested.

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