Lapid, Gantz Refuse Proposal to Join Netanyahu’s Govt

From left, the presidents of Guinea, France and Israel at the climate summit in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh (AFP)
From left, the presidents of Guinea, France and Israel at the climate summit in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh (AFP)
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Lapid, Gantz Refuse Proposal to Join Netanyahu’s Govt

From left, the presidents of Guinea, France and Israel at the climate summit in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh (AFP)
From left, the presidents of Guinea, France and Israel at the climate summit in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh (AFP)

Israel’s Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Defense Minister Benny Gantz announced their rejection of forming a national unity government led by Benjamin Netanyahu.

Informed sources said that forming a unity government is the best way out for Israel from having a far-right government, which will inevitably involve it in clashes with western countries and with the American Democratic Party and US President Joe Biden’s administration.

Netanyahu's allies from the far-right, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich are imposing conditions on the government that could cause a major shift in the political and security situation.

Among their proposals are canceling the separation plan in the northern West Bank, rebuilding four abandoned settlements, and expanding the settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, as well as enacting a law that prevents the judiciary and the Supreme Court from repealing laws.

They also call for adopting a stricter policy in dealing with the Arab citizens of Israel, canceling the privileges agreed upon with the Palestinian prisoners, and imposing Israeli sovereignty over the settlements and others.

The sources said that Netanyahu had expected his allies to practice political blackmail before forming the government, but he was surprised by the extent of these demands.

He told the press that he “does not rule out forming a government with the Liberals and even with the United Arab List, led by MK Mansour Abbas.”

The sources noted that the proposal would be a kind of threat and intimidation to these allies.

Meanwhile, several media outlets reported Tuesday that President Isaac Herzog has spoken with incoming prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Lapid and Gantz to encourage them to form a broad national unity government.

Sources told Ynet that Herzog met with Lapid and Gantz to urge them to join Netanyahu's next government and prevent the participation of far-right lawmakers.

But Herzog’s office denied the reports, saying that there had not been any such contact with party leaders.

“The president did not approach or suggest to the party chiefs that they join this or that government,” his office said.

Lapid and Gantz also said there had been no such contact from the president.

“The government I am leading has lost the elections. Whoever believes in Israeli democracy when he wins, must also believe in it when he loses,” Lapid said, stressing that there is no way he or Gantz would join the incoming government.

Gantz’s National Unity, for its part, affirmed that Gantz will join the opposition.

“Israel is facing many challenges, including dealing with a new government, which is reliant on far-right Knesset members,” the statement read.

“We have decided to continue to solidify the National Unity camp as a meaningful movement in the center of Israel's politics. We respect the decision of voters and once a new government is sworn in, we will serve in the opposition in a responsible manner.”

Netanyahu had expressed his delight over the phone call by Biden, who congratulated him on his election victory.

After the call, Netanyahu wrote on Twitter that he told Biden they can “achieve more peace agreements and deal with the threat of Iranian aggression.”

“President Biden called me and congratulated me on winning the elections. He affirmed that the alliance between Israel and the United States is stronger than ever. And I thanked him for his personal friendship that extended for 40 years and his commitment to the State of Israel.”

According to the Likud party, Biden told Netanyahu during the 8-minute call that his commitment to Israel is “unquestionable.”



Lebanese Parties Warn Against Hezbollah Keeping Light Weapons

Lebanese Shiite mourners gathered on Monday in Beirut’s southern suburbs to mark Ashura in a ceremony organized by Hezbollah (AFP)
Lebanese Shiite mourners gathered on Monday in Beirut’s southern suburbs to mark Ashura in a ceremony organized by Hezbollah (AFP)
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Lebanese Parties Warn Against Hezbollah Keeping Light Weapons

Lebanese Shiite mourners gathered on Monday in Beirut’s southern suburbs to mark Ashura in a ceremony organized by Hezbollah (AFP)
Lebanese Shiite mourners gathered on Monday in Beirut’s southern suburbs to mark Ashura in a ceremony organized by Hezbollah (AFP)

A recent proposal circulating in Lebanon that would allow Hezbollah to retain its light weapons while surrendering heavy and medium arms has triggered widespread political backlash, with critics warning it poses a grave threat to state sovereignty and public safety.

The suggestion, floated amid long-running debate over the group’s arsenal, argues that other political parties and armed groups also possess light weapons for various reasons. But key political factions have rejected the idea outright, citing Lebanon’s bloody past and the potential for renewed violence.

Opponents of the proposal have pointed to the events of May 7, 2008, when Hezbollah fighters overran parts of Beirut and Mount Lebanon in a show of military force, underscoring the dangers of allowing any non-state group to keep arms.

“Classifying weapons as heavy, medium or light is useless,” said Kataeb Party leader Sami Gemayel in a post on X. “If heavy arms threaten Lebanon’s regional security, light weapons are even more dangerous to the foundations of the state.”

Gemayel reiterated that only the Lebanese army and legitimate security forces should bear arms, calling for the country to be entirely free of weapons held by non-state actors.

MP Ghada Ayoub, of the Lebanese Forces-led "Strong Republic" bloc, echoed that view, insisting the state must assert full sovereignty over all Lebanese territory and outlaw any form of armed presence outside the official security apparatus.

“There is only one armed group operating outside the state, and that is Hezbollah,” Ayoub told Asharq al-Awsat. “It must become a purely political party and clearly, unequivocally declare an end to its military activity.”

Ayoub also criticized recent remarks by Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem, who vowed the group’s “resistance” would continue “without asking anyone’s permission.”

“The Lebanese state is responsible for enforcing a monopoly on the use of arms,” she said. “It must stop playing the role of a mediator or hiding behind the fear of war and internal strife. Time is not on Lebanon’s side.”

Ahmad Al-Kheir, a lawmaker with the “National Moderation” bloc, dismissed the proposal as “stillborn,” warning that light weapons have already been used to intimidate citizens and skew political dynamics.

“We saw yesterday how light arms were paraded through Beirut’s streets in a blatant attempt at provocation and coercion,” he said. “This is the real danger - using these weapons as leverage in political life, as we saw in the May 7 events and the occupation of downtown Beirut.”

“No one in Lebanon will accept this,” Al-Kheir added.

Additionally, critics warn that allowing any non-state entity to retain weapons threatens state authority and risks further destabilizing the country.

Al-Kheir urged Hezbollah and any other party in possession of light weapons to hand them over to the state, citing the recent example set by former Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) leader Walid Jumblatt.

“Jumblatt announced that his party had surrendered its weapons weeks ago. This is the model to follow,” he told Asharq al-Awsat.

MP Waddah Al-Sadek, of the Change Coalition, said he had no objection to a phased disarmament process that begins with heavy and medium weapons, followed by light arms. He dismissed fears of civil war, saying only one side is armed.

“Armed conflict requires two sides. The army will not engage in internal fighting,” he said. “This talk of civil war is just fear-mongering unless Hezbollah resorts again to something like the May 7 scenario to avoid disarming.”

Al-Sadek stressed that Lebanon’s response to the US proposal - reportedly outlining phased disarmament - will be critical. “Does anyone really have an alternative to engaging with this proposal?” he asked.

Deputy head of the Free Patriotic Movement, Naji Hayek, said all weapons must be handed over, rejecting the idea that civilians or political groups should be allowed to keep light arms for self-defense.

“This theory no longer holds,” Hayek told Asharq al-Awsat, adding that training camps used to militarize society should be shut down. “Light and medium weapons are not only with Hezbollah - they exist with other parties that have military structures, and these too must be dismantled.”

Political analyst Qassem Qassir, who is close to Hezbollah’s thinking, said there is no internal consensus, nor any agreement with Hezbollah, to give up its heavy and medium arms while retaining light weapons.

“The party insists the issue is still the Israeli occupation and ongoing aggression,” he said. “For Hezbollah, no discussion on disarmament is possible until those threats end.”

Qassir warned that if a political solution to the weapons issue is not reached, “we will inevitably face military risks and internal conflict.”

Jumblatt announced in late June that his party had handed over its remaining weapons, including light and medium arms that were gradually accumulated after the May 7 clashes in 2008 during a period of heightened tension with Hezbollah.

He said the weapons had been centrally stored and fully turned over to the Lebanese state.