Netanyahu Warns Against Minority Government as Coalition Consultations Begin
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned against a narrow government relying on Arab parties, while President Isaac Herzog launched coalition consultations as Ra'am endorsed Gadi Eisenkot.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu broke his public silence on Wednesday evening with a video statement, his first since election night, targeting Arab political factions and calling for a broad national government. In his address, Netanyahu asserted that Arab parties are "supporters of terror" and argued that any administration relying on their parliamentary backing would be incapable of confronting what he described as radical Islam threatening the country from within and externally.
Netanyahu reiterated his appeal for a unity administration led by the Likud party, incorporating all factions of the national-religious bloc alongside any Zionist parties willing to join. The prime minister accused political opponents of pursuing a narrow minority government dependent on Arab lawmakers, claiming they prioritize partisan ambitions over national security. Concurrently, Shas leader Aryeh Deri issued his first public statement since the vote, confirming he will remain at the helm of his party.
Meanwhile, President Isaac Herzog initiated consultations with Knesset faction leaders to determine which candidate holds the strongest prospects for assembling a governing coalition. Ra'am announced its endorsement of Yashar! leader Gadi Eisenkot for the mandate, aligning with other opposition factions. Shortly afterward, Rabbi Dov Lando instructed Degel HaTorah to withhold its endorsement from any candidate, leaving Netanyahu with 46 recommenders at this stage.
