Netanyahu calls rivals to join him, warns of fifth election if they don't
"We cannot be dragged to a fifth election," Netanyahu said. "I reach out my hand to all of my colleagues who agree with me. I do not reject anyone who agrees with these principles."
By IDAN ZONSHINEPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to his supporters after the exit polls were announced for the election of the 24th Knesset, March 24, 2021.(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
Calling on his rivals to join him in forming a coalition, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared victory early Wednesday morning and said that if he does not succeed in establishing a government there was a chance Israel would face a fifth election. Netanyahu spoke at the Jerusalem International Conference Center at around 2:30 a.m. after the exit polls for the 2021 election were published - showing that he does not yet have the majority needed to form a government."We cannot be dragged to a fifth election," Netanyahu said. "I reach out my hand to all of my colleagues who agree with me. I do not reject anyone who agrees with these principles."He began his speech by thanking his wife Sara, who is currently recovering from surgery, before thanking his party's voters, Likud ministers and members of Knesset.We have brought the Likud to be the biggest party in Israel by a huge margin. He said adding that he has more than a double digit margin, the largest margin between the first and second parties in decades."Israel is the world champion of vaccines," Netanyahu said. "We brought millions of vaccines for everyone just like we made peace deals for everyone."We must continue to stand strong against Iran and against the ICC court decision to investigate Israel, he said."I don't disqualify anyone from sitting with me," he said, "because the state of Israel demands a stable government."He said that the only option for a stable government was a right wing government, despite the exit polls which show that he doesn't seem to have the majority needed to form one.
