Netanyahu: Ready for 'broad national government' - but only under my leadership

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared he is ready to negotiate over the formation of a unity government with "our partners and with any party that wishes to join and does not support terrorism."

In a statement, he noted that "the public in Israel 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. From the very first day, we have extended our hand toward forming a broad national government."

However, Netanyahu also stressed that such a government would only be led by him since "a clear majority of the Jewish public chose Likud as the largest party and me as Prime Minister, in order to lead the next government."

"I am open to holding discussions on this matter," Netanyahu emphasized. On Wednesday, party leaders will begin giving President Isaac Herzog their recommendations for who should be tasked first with forming the next government.