Netanyahu's inner circle split on strategy after election results

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's advisors urge unity government while his family advocates delegitimizing Arab parties. Netanyahu works to split United Torah Judaism to prevent rival coalition.

After the publication of the election results, which did not lead to a clear victory for Netanyahu's bloc, a split emerged in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's inner circle regarding the course of action. One approach, identified with Netanyahu's family members, advocates continuing the delegitimization campaign against the Arab parties and casting doubt on the election results. A second approach, identified with close advisors, holds that Netanyahu should pursue a unity move. Both approaches were reflected in Netanyahu's speech last night, but the attempt to combine them appears to have failed. Meanwhile, Netanyahu is investing efforts to split United Torah Judaism. Earlier this week, Porush and Shtark met with David Shapira, the strongman of Rabbi Landau's house, to examine the possibility of passing the conscription law in an alternative government. Subsequently, Shtark met with Netanyahu, who is trying to preserve the right-wing faction of United Torah Judaism within the coalition bloc and prevent a breakup.