Netanyahu intensifies political talks to seek support to preserve coalition

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stepped up political consultations and discussions ahead of possible national elections later this year, the Israeli media outlet The Times of Israel reported. The report, citing political sources close to the prime minister, said Netanyahu is considering how to keep his bloc together if his coalition collapses in October after the Knesset recess. The discussions have focused on persuading the right-wing parties of Itamar Ben-Gavir’s Otzma Yehudit, Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionism and Avi Maoz’s Noam to run together again—as they did in 2022. Netanyahu is also considering forming a new satellite party to attract right-wing voters who are reluctant to directly support his Likud or its allies. The report also said that the discussions also included the merger of Likud with Gideon Sa’ar’s “New Hope” party, announced last week, and Netanyahu’s continued control over Likud’s internal structure.

Source: Times of Israel.