Opposition leaders on Monday rejected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s call for a broad national unity government, accusing him of trying to salvage his political future ahead of Israel’s next election, with Democrats chairman Yair Golan warning that joining a Netanyahu-led government would be “like going on a date with the Tinder Swindler.”
Netanyahu made the call Saturday during a press conference, saying he wanted to form a broad national government. His remarks drew sharp responses Monday from Golan, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid and former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, who all accused the prime minister of using unity rhetoric while continuing to divide Israeli society.
“I heard that Bibi’s new spin is a unity government,” Golan said at the opening of his faction meeting, using Netanyahu’s nickname. “Suddenly, the man who spread hatred and tore Israeli society apart is talking about unity. Don’t worry, he has not seen the light. He understands he is going to lose, so he is going back to his usual trick: to lie and hope the public forgets.”
“What he lacks is not broad agreement, but mandates, and he hopes to get them from the change bloc,” Golan added, referring to parties opposed to Netanyahu’s continued rule. “I am turning to my friends who may get confused: forming a government with Bibi is like going on a date with the Tinder Swindler. You simply don’t do it.”
Democrats chairman Yair Golan
(Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)
Lapid also mocked Netanyahu’s remarks after meeting him for a security briefing. “What are you talking about?” Lapid said at the opening of Yesh Atid’s faction meeting. “You will never form another government in Israel. There will be elections and you will lose.”
Lapid’s meeting with Netanyahu lasted about 45 minutes and was held in his role as opposition leader, who under Israeli political practice receives periodic security updates from the prime minister. It was the first such meeting between the two in two and a half months. Netanyahu’s new military secretary, Maj. Gen. Markizeno, was also present.
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid
(Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)
Addressing Netanyahu’s unity proposal, Lapid said: “We will not sit with you. Clear enough? Whoever was prime minister on October 7 and did not take responsibility, whoever legitimized Kahanism, whitewashed corruption, sanctified draft-dodging and, above all, built his entire career on hatred and incitement, we will not sit with him. Period.”
“Disasters have a price, dysfunction has a price,” Lapid added. “Netanyahu will lose and the State of Israel will be saved. We will form a good, professional, decent government. We will make a new agreement with the country. We will fix everything that was broken.”
Asked about the parties of Benny Gantz and Dedi Simhi, Lapid called them “Netanyahu satellite parties,” accusing them of helping the prime minister’s electoral strategy.
“He is working to create two satellite parties that will bring him victory,” Lapid said. “Not that it will help, but it is good that you are raising it. These are not two parties, but two satellites that will try to give Netanyahu victory in an election he is going to lose anyway.”
Former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot
(Photo: MUNI EXPO 2026)
Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar party, also criticized Netanyahu’s call for unity.
“There is a great paradox in the prime minister calling for unity on Saturday night and then taking divisive steps on Sunday,” Eisenkot said.
“He is trying to establish a political commission of inquiry when close to 70% of Israelis want a state commission of inquiry, and he is continuing the reform that so deeply divided society,” Eisenkot added, referring to Netanyahu’s renewed judicial overhaul efforts. “So the test is not marketing and slogans, but action.”