Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed willingness to form a broad coalition government following last week’s parliamentary elections. However, he insists that he must remain prime minister.
In a statement posted on social media on Monday, Netanyahu said his Likud party wanted to establish a broad government with existing partners and other parties willing to join.
He also said he was open to discussions with political groups that did not support terrorism.
Netanyahu Rules Out Dependence on Arab Parties
Netanyahu said the Israeli public did not want a government dependent on the Arab parliamentary lists, Ra’am and the Joint List. He maintained that Likud had secured the largest number of seats and claimed a mandate to lead the next government.
His remarks came as political parties began discussing possible coalition arrangements following an election that produced no clear parliamentary majority.
Opposition Parties Back Gadi Eisenkot
Meanwhile, former prime minister Naftali Bennett’s Together party, Yair Golan’s Democrats and Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beytenu have agreed to recommend Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot to form the next government.
Their support gives Eisenkot backing from 48 lawmakers. The two Arab parliamentary lists are also expected to recommend him, potentially increasing his support to 67 lawmakers.
However, Lieberman has rejected joining a government that includes Arab parties or depends on their parliamentary support.
Coalition Formation Remains Uncertain
Netanyahu’s bloc secured 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset. Opposition parties won 48 seats, while Arab parties secured 19. Consequently, neither main political bloc has secured an independent majority. A government requires the support of at least 61 lawmakers.
President Isaac Herzog is scheduled to begin consultations with parliamentary factions on Wednesday. He will then select a lawmaker to receive the mandate to form the next government. The consultations will shape the next stage of Israel’s coalition negotiations.
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