Netanyahu Says He Wants a Broad National Unity Government After the Election

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a press conference on Sunday evening that he intends to form a broad national government after the upcoming election, and urged an end to boycotts and political division in Israeli society. He said his goal is a government based on agreements, not a narrow coalition.

Netanyahu warned against internal rifts, saying, "I think there are forces among us who want to bring about a split in the nation. They want to intensify and deepen misunderstandings and disagreements, and I think that is a terrible mistake. We need to try every effort to solve our problems through agreement." He added, "We have enemies outside, and I say, there will be no civil war here."

He said, "I intend to form a broad national government, not a narrow government. Not a left-wing government dependent on the Arab parties. Rather, a broad national government, because only that, I believe, can bring us to agreements among ourselves." Netanyahu also said, "That means enough with the boycotts, and I do not boycott anyone. Everyone can join, they just need to agree on the basic principles."

Itamar Ben Gvir responded that Netanyahu's statement about intending to form a broad government is "very troubling." He said previous governments to which Netanyahu brought in figures from the left included Tzipi Livni as justice minister and Benny Gantz as defense minister, and that they had paralyzed the ability to advance determined right-wing policy. Ben Gvir said the government Netanyahu should form is "only a full right-wing government."