Prime Minister Netanyahu tweeted Sunday evening that a broad national unity government is what Israel needs, and said he intends to form one. He laid out core principles including no Palestinian state between the Jordan and the Mediterranean, and called on all who accept them to join. The statement is a direct campaign pitch ahead of the election.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu published a lengthy statement on X (Twitter) Sunday evening, declaring that he intends to form a 'broad national government' after the election. The statement is his most detailed campaign platform articulation since the election campaign intensified.
Netanyahu listed four core principles for his envisioned government: Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people, Israel defending itself by itself, Israel ensuring full economic, energy and armament independence, and 'no Palestinian state between the Jordan and the Mediterranean.' He explicitly invited any party accepting these principles to join the coalition, saying 'we do not come to boycott, not to disqualify personally, not to deepen the rift.'
Addressing critics of a broad government — including National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who sharply attacked the idea on Saturday — Netanyahu framed the choice before voters as between his broad national government or a 'narrow left-wing government dependent on the Arab parties.' The statement notably omitted any mention of potential coalition partners by name, and did not rule out including parties from the current opposition.
The statement drew immediate responses from across the political spectrum. As The Zioneer reported earlier Sunday, National Unity chairman Benny Gantz dismissed the call as insincere, saying Netanyahu would assemble a coalition with Haredi and extremist parties. Political analysts have assessed the move as a strategic appeal to 7-9 potential Knesset seats—voters who previously backed Netanyahu and are now considering alternatives.
- DevelopingIsrael Hayom columnist: Netanyahu's call for broad government is a welcome shift
- DevelopingGantz tells Netanyahu: if it's up to you, a government with Haredim and extremists will form
- DevelopingBen Gvir slams PM Netanyahu's intention to form a broad government
- DevelopingMK Tally Gotliv warns Netanyahu against bringing pro-Palestinian state lawmakers into broad government
Source and signal
- Internal intake