BICOM

With Israel’s election having produced a seemingly inconclusive set of results, the leaders of the two largest parties in the next Knesset both called for the formation of a broad coalition.

Current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose Likud-Beitenu list was elected as the largest faction, looks set to attempt to form the next government. However, in order to do so Netanyahu will need to look beyond right-wing and religious parties and include one or more of the centrist parties in his coalition. Speaking at a rally of party activists, Netanyahu thanked the Israeli public “for giving me the opportunity, for the third time, to lead the State of Israel.” He said that he would “make changes that the citizens of Israel wish upon themselves” through “forming the broadest coalition possible, and I have begun working toward that tonight.” He also set out five principles on which he will attempt to form a coalition: preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons; economic responsibility; political responsibility in attempts to achieve peace; sharing the burden; and reducing the cost of living.

Meanwhile, a jubilant Yair Lapid, leader of Yesh Atid which surprisingly emerged as the second largest party in the Knesset, spoke to his supporters in Tel Aviv. He said that the vote showed Israelis had “said no” to fear and extremism and acknowledged that Yesh Atid’s success meant “A heavy responsibility has fallen on our shoulders today.” Lapid called for “as broad as possible” a coalition to include “the moderate forces” from left and right “so that we can truly bring about real change.”

Labour Party leader Shelly Yachimovich spoke at her party headquarters and pledged to do everything possible “to liberate the citizens of Israel” by helping form an alternative to a Netanyahu-led government. She said, “I have already got the wheels in motion − to create a coalition of parties with a shared social and economic agenda, which will also kick-start the peace process.”