Benjamin Netanyahu has called on his main political rival, Benny Gantz, to form a unity government with him. The Israeli prime minister made the offer after a second general election failed to produce a clear winner.
Netanyahu and his allies failed to garner a majority of seats in Israel’s legislature, as Israelis went to the ballot boxes for the second time in a year on Tuesday following an inconclusive election in April.
In a video message, Netanyahu conceded there was no way he would be able to form a right-wing government after a second general election this week ended in deadlock.
“During the elections, I called for the establishment of a right-wing government,” Netanyahu said. “But, unfortunately, the election results show that this is not possible.”
He said he opposed going to a third election and then urged Gantz of the centrist Blue and White party to form a “broad unity government today.”
He also called on Gantz to meet him later Thursday.
With 92 percent of votes counted, the prime minister’s Likud party is set to take a total of 32 seats, with its right-wing and ultra-Orthodox allies winning a further 24 seats, falling short of the 61 seats required for a majority in Israel’s 120-seat legislature.
The election results have raised new questions about Netanyahu’s political future. The prime minister is already facing a possible indictment over corruption charges, and his failure to lead Israel’s right-wing camp to victory could further erode his position.
The centrist Blue and White led by Benny Ganz is set to take 32 seats, and two left-wing parties are on course to win a total of 11 seats.
Netanyahu, who became Israel’s longest-serving prime minister in July, has been in office for three consecutive terms since 2009.
The 69-year-old has pledged to unilaterally annex Jewish settlements and a swathe of other territory in the occupied West Bank if he is returned to power.
Neither Gantz nor Netanyahu would be able to form a majority coalition without support from Yisrael Beiteinu.
Its leader, Avigdor Lieberman, reiterated on Wednesday that he would only support a unity government that included Likud and Blue and White.
However, Gantz has ruled out sitting with Likud if it is led by Netanyahu because the prime minister is facing charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in connection with three corruption cases, pending a final hearing next month.
