When the impossible becomes possible

Yaron Dekel examines a scenario of a unity government between Likud led by Netanyahu and the State Camp led by Eisenkot, against the backdrop of a possible political tie in the polls. The article presents the concessions required from both sides: Eisenkot will have to agree that Netanyahu serves first, and Netanyahu will have to oust Ben Gvir and Smotrich from the government, establish a commission of inquiry into the October 7 massacre, and halt the judicial overhaul.

Yaron Dekel examines in an opinion article a scenario of a unity government between Likud led by Benjamin Netanyahu and the State Camp led by Gadi Eisenkot, against the backdrop of a possible political tie between the blocs in the polls. Dekel notes that the disqualification of cooperation with the Arab parties by most opposition leaders, along with the mutual boycott of Ra'am and the Joint List, may leave the two blocs with no choice but to cooperate. The article highlights the lack of personal animosity between Netanyahu and Eisenkot as a possible starting point for talks. Dekel details the required concessions: Eisenkot will have to agree that Netanyahu serves first as prime minister, while contending with the precedent of Gantz who destroyed his political future. On the other hand, Netanyahu will have to pay a price in cash: ousting Ben Gvir and Smotrich to the opposition, halting legislation in the legal field, and establishing an independent commission of inquiry in the style of the Winograd Committee to investigate the October 7 massacre. Dekel speculates that Netanyahu could give up his right-wing partners only if he decides not to run again, serves another term, and after two years retires in favor of a presidential race, just as President Herzog ends his term. The article concludes with a comparison to the Shamir-Peres unity government of 1984.