Netanyahu and Eisenkot to Hold Security Briefing After Public Clash

The session replaces a narrower meeting that Channel 12 said had been arranged earlier Thursday, in which Markizeno was due to brief Eisenkot at the Yashar leader’s office in Ramat Hasharon. That personal briefing was cancelled, the Israeli network reported, and the two men will instead convene in the afternoon in Jerusalem, a day after they traded public accusations.

Meeting Follows Public Clash

The announcement followed a Wednesday letter in which Eisenkot, a former IDF chief whom President Isaac Herzog has tasked with forming the next government, accused the caretaker prime minister of refusing an operational update “through official channels, as is customary.”

Eisenkot urged Netanyahu to “show restraint and caution” and to refrain from “dangerous moves that can wait until a new government with the Knesset’s confidence is sworn in.” He warned that deploying security forces “without a direct and immediate threat that cannot wait” could have “devastating consequences for Israeli democracy.”

The Prime Minister’s Office called the letter “an irresponsible move to discuss sensitive security issues in public” and accused Eisenkot of politicizing national security. It said government decisions were made “solely based on security considerations and in full coordination with the security establishment.”

Eisenkot Sought Regular Briefings

Eisenkot also asked Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to intervene so he could receive “regular, structured and comprehensive” briefings. Israeli law requires monthly briefings for the opposition leader, but none has been appointed.

He said he should receive those briefings as the lawmaker tasked with forming a government. Channel 12 reported that a request went unanswered after he was referred from the military secretary to Netanyahu’s chief of staff.

Netanyahu remains caretaker prime minister after the October 27 election, in which his bloc fell short of a majority. Eisenkot noted that “only 46 MKs still support your continued tenure as prime minister.”

Iran Tensions Shadow Talks

The dispute sharpened after Channel 12 reported Tuesday that Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir again differed over possible military action against Iran. Zamir had reportedly resisted a similar move before the vote. Eisenkot’s letter did not name Iran.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said Thursday that the caretaker government “does not need approval from the opposition or from any legal authority to direct the IDF.” Avigdor Liberman, a partner in Eisenkot’s bloc, warned it is not authorized to take decisions that could “drag Israel into war” without parliamentary oversight and the agreement of all security officials.

Israeli media said the Security Cabinet will meet Sunday for the first time since October 5, after instructing the IDF to raise readiness for a possible Iran strike. Markizeno, who succeeded Roman Gofman in June, is expected to attend Thursday’s briefing.