🇮🇱 NETANYAHU SEEKS UNITY GOVERNMENT AS ELECTION WARNINGS, DEFENSE EXPANSION AND OPENAI’S ISRAEL MOVE ADVANCE

🕑 Published: July 22, 2026 · 11:00 PM Israel time

🇮🇱 NETANYAHU CALLS FOR BROAD NATIONAL UNITY GOVERNMENT: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “Over the past three years, through our combined strength, we prevented internal collapse and saved the State of Israel. We showed the world that we are a brave nation with a brave army and a generation of heroes.

Although the war is not over and many challenges lie ahead, I am confident with all my heart that we will overcome them. As Prime Minister, I will act to establish a broad, stable national unity government to secure our safety and our future.

Despite political debates during elections, we are far more united than it seems. Through baseless hatred we were once destroyed, but through unity and love for Israel, we will ensure our eternal future.”

⚠️ PRESIDENT WARNS OF INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL THREATS TO ELECTIONS: In a statement ahead of Tisha B’Av, the President said: “About two weeks ago, I hosted in my office the Chair of the Central Elections Committee – the Deputy President of the Supreme Court, Justice Noam Sohlberg, and the head of the Shin Bet, David Zini. They presented to me various threats to the integrity of the elections – both internal and external. We presented a united front on this matter and committed to providing support and backing to the Central Elections Committee and to all security and law enforcement bodies.”

He called on political leaders to act responsibly: “Elections are not a civil war; we must not wait for a disaster.”

🗳️ CHANNEL 13 POLL SHOWS LIKUD AND ANTI-NETANYAHU BLOC LOSING GROUND: A Channel 13 News poll released this evening shows Likud dropping by one seat and Bennett falling to a new low of 14 seats.

The anti-Netanyahu bloc falls by one seat to 60 after the Arab parties gain two seats.

🛡️ ISRAEL ADVANCES DOMESTIC ARMS PRODUCTION STRATEGY: Defense Ministry Director-General Maj. Gen. (res.) Amir Baram said Israel is developing a strategic plan to significantly expand domestic production of critical components, weapons systems and munitions.

The plan is intended to strengthen Israel’s armaments independence and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. It will be funded partly through reforms designed to increase defense exports and partly through the IDF’s approved “350 Plan” force-building program.

Manufacturers Association President Avraham Novogrotzki urged the government to provide the defense establishment’s full required budget, enabling continued “blue-and-white” procurement while strengthening Israel’s defense industry, national security, innovation and economy.

🛡️ GREECE EXPECTED TO APPROVE €3 BILLION ISRAELI AIR DEFENSE PACKAGE: Greece is expected to approve a €3 billion Israeli air defense package as the centerpiece of its new “Achilles’ Shield” integrated defense network, according to Kathimerini.

The network is expected to combine the Barak MX, David’s Sling and SPYDER systems with Greece’s F-35s, F-16 Vipers, Belharra-class frigates, Patriot batteries and other assets under a unified command structure.

It is designed to counter aircraft, ballistic missiles, drones and cruise missiles and would represent one of Greece’s largest military modernization programs in decades.

🧠 OPENAI REPORTEDLY PREPARING FIRST LOCAL OPERATIONS IN ISRAEL: OpenAI is preparing to establish a business development presence in Israel, marking its first local operations in the country, according to Yedioth Ahronoth.

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