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Israel's post-election deadlock has sharpened into a contest over who can form a government, after the October 27 parliamentary election left neither of the two main blocs with the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-seat Knesset.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that he is seeking a broad national government led by Likud, and that he is open to talks with any party that does not support terrorism. He said a clear majority of Jewish voters had chosen Likud as the largest party and chosen him to lead the next government.
"The Israeli public does not want a government that depends on Ra'am and the Joint List, parties that support terrorism and deny the existence of a Jewish state," Netanyahu said in his statement. "From day one, our hand has been extended to establish a broad national government."
Netanyahu's bloc won 53 seats, including 27 for Likud itself, eight short of a majority. The opposition bloc led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot won 48 seats, while Ra'am and the Joint List together won 19 seats, leaving the Arab parties in a potentially decisive position in coalition talks.
Eisenkot's camp has moved to try to form an alternative government, holding its first strategic meeting on Tuesday and pledging to move swiftly. Eisenkot has set out four principles for any prospective coalition partner, including recognition of Israel as a Jewish state and recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organisation. Opposition leaders have ruled out joining a unity government under Netanyahu.
The next formal step falls to President Isaac Herzog, who was due to begin consultations with representatives of the elected parties on Wednesday, before deciding whom to invite to try to form a government. The candidate given the mandate would have 28 days to secure a majority.
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