Eisenkot’s Party Denies Lebanon Withdrawal Talks, Demands Retraction

Yashar, the party led by Gadi Eisenkot, rejected a report on Sunday, November 8, alleging that he was negotiating with foreign actors about an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon. The party’s statement answered a report attributed to Shlomo Rizel and broadcast on Channel 14. An image attached to the statement reproduced the disputed allegation, which referred to foreign interlocutors without identifying them. Yashar denied that the reported negotiations were taking place. “The report is a complete lie,” Yashar said. The party demanded that Channel 14 immediately remove the report and that Rizel issue an explicit public apology. It described the allegation as having no factual foundation and said that explanations or evasions would not meet its demand. Its requested next steps were directed separately at the broadcaster carrying the report and the journalist credited with it. The party also linked the broadcast to the political contest over forming a new government. It accused Channel 14 of intensifying false reporting as the prospect of replacing the government approached, and characterized the channel as serving Benjamin Netanyahu’s political messaging. Yashar alleged that the report was intended to frighten and divide the public and obstruct formation of a new government. The party concluded that such campaigning would not change the public’s decision.