Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued an appeal on Monday evening calling for a broad national government under his leadership, saying he is prepared to begin immediate coalition talks with any political faction that rejects terrorism.
The announcement comes as political parties prepare to submit their formal recommendations to President Isaac Herzog regarding which lawmaker should be tasked with forming Israel’s next administration. In his public address, Netanyahu drew a sharp ideological line against parliamentary models the opposition is currently exploring that would rely on Arab parties.
“The public in Israel does not want a government that depends on Ra’am and the Joint List—parties that support terrorism and negate the existence of the Jewish state,” Netanyahu stated. The prime minister emphasized that Likud’s efforts to broaden its parliamentary base are not a tactical retreat, but a continuation of longstanding policy. “From day one, our hand has been extended to establish a broad national government,” he said.
Netanyahu maintained that the parliamentary arithmetic gives him the moral authority to steer executive power: “A clear majority in the Jewish public chose the Likud as the largest party and me, as prime minister, to lead the next government”. Concluding his statement, Netanyahu called on potential Zionist partners across the spectrum to engage in coalition negotiations: “We strive to establish a broad government with our partners and with any party that desires it and does not support terrorism. I am open to holding dialogue on the matter”.
The appeal unfolds against an acute parliamentary deadlock produced by the 26th Knesset election results.
Neither traditional bloc commands an independent majority of 61 seats. The Likud emerged as the single largest bloc with 27 mandates, bringing the national-religious bloc to 53 seats. In comparison, the Zionist opposition parties control 48 mandates, leaving the 19 seats held jointly by Ra’am and the Joint List as an unaligned balance of power. Faction consultations with President Herzog began taking shape on Monday.
1+On the opposition side, Naftali Bennett’s Beyachad party, Avigdor Liberman’s Yisrael Beytenu, and the Democrats formally confirmed they will recommend Yashar! Chairman Gadi Eisenkot to receive the mandate. Conversely, Religious Zionism and Otzma Yehudit are slated to recommend Netanyahu formally.
While Shas leadership convened on Monday to finalize its position, indications suggest the Sephardic ultra-Orthodox faction will also recommend Netanyahu, following public expressions of support between the prime minister and Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri.