Tense Clash Erupts Between President's Office and The Democrats Over Unity

A tense exchange erupted on Thursday between the CEO of The Democrats, Omer Lubton Granot, and the President's Residence Director General, Eyal Shviki, during the party delegation's consultation meeting with President Isaac Herzog as part of the coalition recommendation rounds.

During the deliberations, representatives of The Democrats called for the establishment of a national emergency government. MK Gilad Kariv argued that "there is a clear decisive majority of 67 mandates against the continuation of Netanyahu's rule, and that was the central question." In response, President Herzog questioned whether it would not be appropriate to promote a unity government initiative, asking: "What will happen when Netanyahu retires—what will happen to the parties' campaign? Is all of life just 'yes or no to Netanyahu'?"

While the meeting was underway, Lubton Granot, who was not present in the room, published a post on X including the President's quote alongside the caption: "Tell me you voted Mahal without telling me you voted Mahal." Responding in real time before cameras and the party representatives, Director General Shviki criticized Lubton Granot's conduct: "While we are sitting here, your party's CEO tweeted that the President voted Mahal. So let me clarify that the President's role is to care for all the people of Israel. Yesterday he was accused of being 'pro-Arab' and today he is 'voting Mahal.' The President's role is to do everything possible to establish a government that will bring prosperity to the State of Israel."

Lubton Granot later replied to Shviki via a direct WhatsApp message: "It is fitting that the President engage in listening to the public and respecting 67 mandates, and stop promoting unity with Netanyahu, who is on trial for criminal charges and is responsible for October 7."

During the meeting itself, MK Kariv addressed the President's query, asserting that right-wing governments never spoke of unity: "The one who always dropped the hand extended for unity is Netanyahu. But the discussion is not personal—the public wants a policy change, and Israel's international standing requires a change of direction. If Netanyahu continues as Prime Minister, our situation will continue to deteriorate." He emphasized that "we support forming a government even if it is a minority government, and afterward we will work to expand it."

President Herzog pressed the delegation: "How can one manage a government that relies on a minority? It is complex; we already had that in the 'change government,' where even tree planting in the Negev could not be passed. There is what is called 'Realpolitik.'"

MK Efrat Rayten noted that "67 mandates constitute a solid majority for change, much larger than what the 'change government' had." Yaya Fink addressed the "unity lie," claiming that "there can be no unity with Netanyahu." According to him, "Want unity? Replace Netanyahu. We will look out for everyone; no D9 bulldozer will run over any side."