Outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Monday for the formation of a broad governing coalition excluding Arab parties, while asserting that he should lead it after his Likud party won the largest number of seats in the Knesset.

In a statement published on Telegram, Netanyahu said he was open to working with existing partners and any party willing to join a government that does not support terrorism. He accused the two main Arab political groups, the United List and Ra’am, of supporting terrorism and denying the existence of the Jewish state.

The October 27 election left neither major bloc with the 61 seats required for a parliamentary majority. Netanyahu’s outgoing coalition won 53 seats, while the opposition bloc led by centrist Gadi Eisenkot secured 48. The United List and Ra’am won 11 and eight seats respectively, giving them a potentially decisive role in government formation.

The opposition’s main leaders are due to meet Tuesday for the first time since the vote to explore the possibility of building a majority. The prospect of cooperation with Arab parties is dividing the bloc: left-wing leader Yair Golan supports it, while right-wing leader Avigdor Liberman has firmly rejected the idea.

President Isaac Herzog is scheduled to hold consultations with party representatives on Wednesday and Thursday before appointing a candidate to try to form a government. Ra’am has not ruled out joining a coalition led by Eisenkot, while the United List favors supporting a possible minority government from outside.

United List leader Youssef Jabareen said his party was prepared to support legislation or decisions that advance its political goals. He identified possible areas of discussion with the opposition, including insecurity in Arab Israeli towns, but said any agreement would also need to address issues such as destruction in Gaza and settler violence in the occupied West Bank.

The two Arab lists recorded a historic result after strong turnout among Israel’s Arab minority, which represents about 20% of the country’s population and faces significant discrimination. Despite their gains, much of the opposition remains reluctant to form an alliance with them because of concerns about alienating Jewish voters. Jabareen nevertheless described the minority as a central political force in Israel.

Sources: Le Monde International.