Netanyahu Seeks Broad Government While Ruling Out Arab Factions

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his willingness to establish a broad national government under his leadership. The statement followed an election where his Likud party secured 27 seats, though the broader pro-Netanyahu bloc reached only 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, failing to achieve a majority.

Netanyahu explicitly excluded Arab parties Ra'am and the Joint List from potential partnerships, citing accusations that they support terrorism and reject Israel's identity as a Jewish state. At the same time, all four Zionist opposition parties have rejected joining a cabinet led by him.

Meanwhile, the Likud party attempted to stall the official certification of the vote over unproven allegations of foreign interference involving Qatar boosting Arab voter turnout. A Supreme Court justice overseeing the Central Elections Committee dismissed the request, stating the panel lacked the authority to delay certification.