Netanyahu Seeks Broad Coalition, Distances from Far-Right and Left Ahead of Israel Election
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Saturday his intention to form a broad national government after the upcoming election, explicitly distancing himself from both the far-right and left-wing factions.
Netanyahu, the country's longest-serving prime minister across multiple terms, has already declared his candidacy in the national elections, which must be held no later than October 27.
"I intend to establish a broad national government, not a right-wing government, not a left-wing government that depends on Arab parties, but a broad national government," he said in a televised briefing, signalling a significant shift in his political strategy.
"Because only in this way, I think, can we reach internal agreements ... It means, first of all: enough with boycotts. I am not boycotting anyone. I say, everyone will be able to join; they simply need to agree to our basic principles, that Israel is the nation-state of the Jewish people and that we respect individual rights," he added.
Netanyahu's remarks come as he — currently heading one of the most right-wing governments in Israel's history — has been polling poorly in recent surveys. By reaching across the aisle, he appears to be reframing his electoral pitch around national unity rather than ideological alignment.
A recent survey showed that a majority of Israelis want him to leave office. Public opinion is critical of the war that Israel and the United States launched on Iran in late February, ceasefire talks for which Israel was excluded, leading to a deal between Tehran and Washington viewed by many as unfavourable to Israel.
Netanyahu also hailed a US-brokered agreement with Lebanon, calling it a historic achievement that dealt a blow to arch-foes Iran and Hezbollah.
"Yesterday ... we achieved a historic deal for the state of Israel after direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon," Netanyahu said. "This is a blow to Iran and Hezbollah."
He reiterated that Israeli forces would remain in the so-called security zone established by the military some 10 kilometres inside Lebanese territory. "We will remain in the area until Hezbollah and the rest of the terror groups are disarmed," he said.
"Both the United States and Lebanon have recognised Israel's right to maintain a security zone inside Lebanon for as long as it remains necessary to safeguard our security. We will continue to hold this security zone until Hezbollah and all other terrorist organisations are fully disarmed and no longer pose any threat to Israel from Lebanese territory," he added.
