Netanyahu Calls for Broad National Government Under His Leadership

Eight days after the elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released his first video statement, published by the Likud party spokesperson. The statement comes amid a significant development: the United Torah Judaism party announced it would not recommend Netanyahu for prime minister, a move that could give Gadi Eisenkot a majority of recommending lawmakers. In the video, Netanyahu outlined his vision for the next government, criticizing the possibility of a coalition dependent on Arab parties. "A government dependent on terror-supporting parties cannot contend with the threat of radical Islam that threatens us from within and without," the Prime Minister stated. He further presented his vision: "Only a broad national government led by the Likud and under my leadership, including all components of the national bloc and all Zionist parties willing to join, can contend with this challenge."

The video was released at a sensitive time. Earlier on Monday, United Torah Judaism declared it would not recommend any candidate for prime minister. The party's statement, issued under the guidance of Rabbis Dovid Lando and Moshe Hillel Hirsch, indicated that its representatives would not recommend anyone to the President. The Hasidic faction of the party also issued a similar statement, directing MK Yitzhak Goldknopf not to recommend any candidate. Their primary mission, they stated, is to regulate the status of Torah scholars, and the candidate who will bring a solution and legislation on this matter will receive the party's support.

Following United Torah Judaism's decision, Netanyahu's bloc is reduced to only 46 Knesset members. The opposing bloc has 48 members who will recommend Eisenkot, with the potential addition of the 8 members from Ra'am. Shas, which experienced a significant loss in the elections, has chosen to remain in Netanyahu's bloc and recommend him, alongside the Religious Zionism party and Otzma Yehudit.