Netanyahu calls for broad coalition under his leadership, rules out Arab parties

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he is open to forming a broad government led by him, with partners from his bloc and parties that do not support terrorism, excluding Ra'am and the Joint List.

In statements reported by the Ynet website, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke of efforts to form an expanded government led by Likud, declaring his readiness to hold dialogue with various parties, provided they are not "supporters of terrorism," as he put it. Netanyahu claimed that the Israeli public does not want a government that relies on the United Arab List and the Joint List, alleging that a clear majority of the Jewish public chose Likud as the largest party and gave it the mandate to lead the next government. His remarks come at a time when he speaks of a broad government as if its formation is a foregone conclusion, while insisting that he be the one to lead it, without providing any indications that the necessary political conditions are in place. The article lacks responses from the relevant parties or an analysis of the actual obstacles.