Israel must choose national unity over political division - opinion

An opinion piece argues that Israel must form a national unity government after the 2026 election to avoid political deadlock, citing polls showing neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot can secure a stable coalition. The author calls on President Herzog to lead reconciliation efforts, referencing historical precedents like the 1984 unity government and the emergency government formed after October 7 as evidence that unity is Israel's strength.

An opinion piece by Ori Wertman argues that Israel must form a national unity government after the 2026 election to avoid a return to the political crises of 2019-2022. Citing polls that show neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor Gadi Eisenkot can secure a stable coalition, the author presents a unity government as the only viable alternative to deadlock. He points to the 1984 national unity government between the Alignment and Likud as a successful model that implemented an economic stabilization plan. The article also references the emergency government formed during the COVID-19 crisis and after the October 7 massacre as evidence that unity is Israel's strength. Wertman acknowledges the difficulties of such a government, citing the 1990 'dirty trick' and the collapse of the Netanyahu-Gantz government in 2020, but concludes that the current security threats from Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas leave no alternative. He calls on President Isaac Herzog to lead efforts to establish a stable unity government.