BICOM

Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid signalled his intention to enter coalition talks with current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as both factions outlined their priorities for an incoming government.

Lapid, whose party was dramatically elected as the second largest in the Knesset, ended suggestions over forming an alternative to a Netanyahu-led government, telling the media last night, “I heard talk about establishing a preventative bloc – I want to take this option off the table.” Lapid then paved the way to becoming the major coalition partner in a government headed by Netanyahu saying, “The outcome of the election is clear: we must work together.”

Earlier in the day, two incoming Yesh Atid MKs Yael German and Adi Kol, both said that creating a fairer military draft system, lowering the cost of living, increasing housing subsidies for young families, altering the ultra-Orthodox school curriculum and renewing the peace process are the party’s top priorities. Kol said that in order of importance, reforming the draft system “is definitely number one and reinvigorating the peace process is number two.” Dov Lipman, another incoming Yesh Atid Knesset member told British journalists participating in a BICOM delegation that his party would not remain in a government that was not serious about moving forward with the peace process.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu held a press conference yesterday and said that the election results showed a “clear message” that “the public wants me to continue to lead the country.” He said that he had spoken with his electoral partner Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Yisrael Beitenu and they had agreed to form a government focused on “affordable housing, equal sharing of military and national service, and change in the method of government.”

With Likud-Beitenu and Yesh Atid set to comprise the core of the next government, questions remain over who else will be asked to join the coalition. Shas leader Eli Yishai said that if Lapid “wants to be realistic, he needs to work together with us,” although Yesh Atid’s number two candidate Shai Piron told Army Radio yesterday, “We won’t be part of a government of which Shas… has a large influence on its character.” Meanwhile, Netanyahu has reportedly yet to contact Jewish Home leader Naftali Bennett, while it has been suggested that Lapid is keen for Tzipi Livni’s Hatnuah party to join the government.