Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu told Yisrael Hayom correspondent Moti Tuchfeld that he remains committed to the formation of a right-wing coalition, and that he promises he will not attempt to form a national unity coalition government. He used the interview to stress “We must not return to the mistakes of the last election and one should not vote for a party that will not pass the minimum election threshold”.

Netanyahu added, “My commitment is clear: to establish a strong right-wing government after the elections, which will continue to lead the State of Israel to unprecedented achievements and maintain the security of Israeli citizens. This is my commitment to Likud voters. There will be no unity government. The choice facing Israeli citizens in the upcoming elections is one: who will be the next prime minister of the State of Israel. Will a weak inexperienced left-wing government headed by Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz be established, or a strong right-wing Likud-led government. In order for a right-wing government to be established, voters of the national camp must wake up and get out of being apathetic”.

He added that “during an interview with Galei Tzahal (Army Radio), MK Avigdor Lieberman stated on Sunday that he will recommend Benny Gantz to receive the presidential mandate to form the government and serve as Prime Minister. This fact is sufficient to understand one must vote Likud. Likud must be the largest party to ensure the formation of the coalition is given to us, without the possibility of Lieberman leading us to a weak left-wing government headed by Lapid and Gantz”.

In his concluding remarks, the Prime Minister warns “We must not make the same mistakes that were made in the last election, when the right-wing lost seven mandates to parties that will not meet the minimum threshold. We may not jeopardize the establishment of a right-wing nationalist government.

“One who does not vote Likud in essence works to topple the right-wing government and the establishment of a left-wing government headed by Lapid and Gantz…”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)