Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on parties that oppose terrorism to sit with Likud and form a “broad national government” in a social media post on Monday night.
“The Israeli public does not want a government that depends on Ra'am and the Joint List, parties that support terrorism and reject the existence of the Jewish state,” Netanyahu wrote.
He added that “from day one, we have extended our hand toward the formation of a broad national government.”
“A clear majority of the Jewish public chose the Likud as the largest party, and chose me, as prime minister, to lead the next government,” Netanyahu said. “We aim to form a broad government with our partners and with any other party that wishes to join, provided they do not support terrorism."
"I am open to dialogue on this matter.”
This is the first time since last week's election results were published that he has called for any type of government to be formed.
Election Day results saw Likud win 27 seats, with Netanyahu’s bloc at 53 overall; Yashar won 21 seats in the Knesset, with the Yashar chairman Gadi Eisenkot's bloc at 48 total; and the Arab parties won 19 seats.
Early Wednesday, before the voter count was finalized, Netanyahu called for a strong right-wing government and warned against forming one dependent on what he called anti-Zionist Arab parties.
In his speech at the time, Netanyahu accused the Arab parties of opposing Israel’s existence and attacking its soldiers. He challenged politicians advocating an alliance of those who serve in the military over the possibility of cooperating with those parties.
“The Likud is the largest party in Israel,” Netanyahu said. “We must establish a strong, right-wing, national government."
Eisenkot: Any MK who accepts four coalition principles can join gov't
On Saturday, Eisenkot laid out four principles for joining his proposed coalition, saying that “any MK” willing to accept them could become a partner in forming the next government, which he intends to be the broadest possible Zionist, statesmanlike government possible.
His conditions for prospective coalition partners include: the recognition of Israel as a Jewish, democratic, liberal, and egalitarian state; a commitment to the values of the Declaration of Independence; mandatory military, national, or civilian service for all Israeli citizens; and recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization and acknowledgment of the obligation to destroy its military and governing power in the Gaza Strip.
“Any MK willing to sign on to these principles is a potential partner in establishing a new government that will be good for Israel,” Eisenkot said. “The door to the government we establish will be open to any elected official who accepts these principles and is prepared to rise to the occasion.”
Sarah Ben-Nun and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.