Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, and then-Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman speak to the media, Jan. 10, 2017. (Photo/JTA-Hadas Parush-Flash90) News Israel Netanyahu says no to unity government Facebook Twitter Email SMS WhatsApp Share By Sam Sokol, JTA | August 7, 2019 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is making his political vision for Israel crystal clear, promising to establish “a strong right-wing government.” “This is my commitment to Likud voters. There will be no unity government,” he wrote in an op-ed published Wednesday in the conservative Israel Hayom newspaper. Netanyahu is pushing back on demands that he form a unity government with the centrist Blue and White party. “The citizens of Israel face a single choice in the upcoming election: Who will be the next prime minister of the State of Israel? Will a weak and inexperienced left-wing government led by Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz be established; or rather a strong right-wing government headed by the Likud under my leadership,” he wrote. “To form a right-wing government, voters from the nationalist camp must wake up and shed their apathy.” Netanyahu’s comments come after Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Liberman said that he will only support a candidate for prime minister who is willing to push for a national unity government. Liberman scuttled coalition talks in May and prevented Netanyahu from forming a government, and polls show him gaining strength. Most of the Israeli public opposes such a unity government, with more than half of those surveyed against a coalition of Blue and White and Likud, The Times of Israel reported. Sam Sokol Sam Sokol is a Jerusalem-based journalist who covers Israel for JTA. JTA Content distributed by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency news service. Also On J. Israel Israel headed to 5th national elections since 2019 Analysis A 5th Israeli election in 3 years? Here’s what happens next. Israel Israel is having yet another election — could Netanyahu lose? Israel Tomorrow's Israeli election is a nail-biter Subscribe to our Newsletter Enter Email Sign Up