Consultations at the President’s Residence
President Herzog urged representatives of the political parties arriving for consultations this week to seek a way to prevent another election.
“Come prepared to find creative solutions to prevent another election. During election campaigns, candidates climb up tall trees and take uncompromising positions — but the elections are now over. The election results are an established fact, and now is the time to tell all the leaders: Stop climbing trees and face this reality. This week, at the President’s Residence, we will try to provide ladders to help the leaders climb down from their positions and face this reality in a measured and cautious manner.”
Speaking yesterday on Meet the Press, Gantz said: “A lot has changed since 2020 and the previous unity government that failed. The solution is unity.”
Joint List cash allegations and suspected election influence
i24NEWS reported that a Joint List Knesset member received hundreds of thousands of shekels in cash, describing the alleged payment as what appears to be a clear case of criminal bribery and money laundering.
According to the report, there is currently no evidence that the money was used on Election Day or reached voters themselves. Despite the allegations, there is also no evidence that the money came from Qatar.
The report described disagreement between the head of Shin Bet and other senior officials over the severity of the incident. Election results are due to be announced this week, with the investigation proceeding in parallel.
According to the report, the investigation will not affect the election results and is expected to take considerable time.
Amit Segal commented, invoking a remark allegedly made by Begin: “They hate capitalism, but they love capital.”
Awawda challenges Eisenkot’s campaign principles
Bakr Awawda, number four on the Joint List, told a Jordanian television channel:
“If Eisenkot wants to form a government, he must back down from the four principles he presented during his election campaign.”
Those principles reportedly are recognition of Israel as a Jewish state, commitment to Israel’s Declaration of Independence, mandatory national service for everyone, and recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization.
Preplanned Home Front Command rescue exercise
The Home Front Command’s Search and Rescue Brigade will hold an exercise this week beginning today, the IDF said. Troops will practice “multi-front scenarios, utilizing their search and rescue capabilities and cooperating with other forces and emergency organizations.”
“The exercise is intended to strengthen the forces’ readiness and operational preparedness, as well as their ability to respond to multiple simultaneous incidents on the home front, including complex emergency scenarios,” the military said.
The IDF warned of increased movement of security forces and vehicles in several areas across the country during the drill. The military said the exercise was preplanned and does not stem from a new assessment.
