Full coverage· Politics· Updated 7 Nov, 20:34

Netanyahu Calls for Unity Government Including All Zionist Parties

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for the formation of a national unity government on Saturday, warning that a coalition reliant on Arab parties would pose an existential threat to Israel. In a video address, Netanyahu argued that a government dependent on Islamist factions or those he described as terror supporters would be unable to combat the terrorist organization Hamas, preserve Israel's Jewish character, or counter the nuclear threat from Iran. He urged all Zionist and national camp parties to join a unity government, framing it as the only alternative to what he termed national suicide.

12 newsrooms · 4 languages · since 7 Nov, 19:24

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What happened

01Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for a national unity government on Saturday, warning against a coalition reliant on Arab parties.
02Netanyahu's supporting bloc secured only 53 mandates in the recent elections, leaving him short of a governing majority.
03President Isaac Herzog announced he will grant the mandate to form a government to Gadi Eisenkot, who has 67 recommendations.
04Eisenkot is promoting a plan for a national emergency government based on four reformist and Zionist parties.
05Netanyahu claimed a government dependent on Arab parties would fail to fight Hamas or counter the Iranian nuclear threat.
06Opposition MK Gilad Kariv rejected Netanyahu's call, stating it signals that the Prime Minister understands he lost the election.
07Yair Golan of the Democrats expressed openness to partnering with ultra-Orthodox parties, provided they agree to Haredi military conscription.

Netanyahu's appeal came just before President Isaac Herzog is expected to assign the mandate to form a government. Following the recent elections, Netanyahu's supporting bloc secured only 53 mandates, which is insufficient to form a coalition. President Herzog announced he would grant the mandate to Gadi Eisenkot, the chairman of Yesh Atid, whose factions received recommendations from 67 Knesset members. Eisenkot has promoted a plan for a national emergency government based on four reformist and Zionist parties, while expressing openness to other factions joining.

The opposition rejected Netanyahu's remarks, with MK Gilad Kariv of the Democrats suggesting the Prime Minister's call for unity indicates he understands his bloc has lost the election. Other political figures, including Yair Golan of the Democrats and Avigdor Lieberman, have expressed conditional openness to partnering with ultra-Orthodox parties under specific principles, such as Haredi conscription and integration into the workforce. Negotiations are expected to continue during a dramatic political week.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 10 newsrooms. Updated 00:11