Netanyahu holds last-ditch talks to keep Israeli government together

Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition has been thrown into chaos - REUTERS
Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition has been thrown into chaos - REUTERS

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, resisted calls for snap polls Sunday, saying elections now would be "unnecessary and wrong", ahead of what he called last-ditch talks to hold his embattled coalition together.

Mr Netanyahu's Right-wing coalition was thrown into crisis Wednesday after the defence minister Avigdor Lieberman's resignation over a controversial Gaza ceasefire deal, leading to speculation over whether early elections have become inevitable.

After Mr Lieberman's withdrawal along with his Yisrael Beitenu party, Mr Netanyahu's government was left clinging to a one-seat majority in the 120-seat parliament.

Key coalition partners say that is unworkable.

Mr Netanyahu, who has sought to delay calling elections, made his case at the start of a cabinet meeting on Sunday.

Yuval Steinitz, energy minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister, and government secretary Tzahi Braverman attend the weekly cabinet meeting - Credit: Abir Sultan/Pool via AP
Yuval Steinitz, energy minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister, and government secretary Tzahi Braverman attend the weekly cabinet meeting Credit: Abir Sultan/Pool via AP

"In a period of security sensitivity, it's unnecessary and wrong to go to elections," Mr Netanyahu said.

He noted past instances when Right-wing governments had called elections that did not turn out as they had hoped.

"We need to do whatever we can to avoid such mistakes," he said.

Mr Netanyahu planned to meet Moshe Kahlon, the finance minister whose centre-right Kulanu party holds 10 seats, at later on Sunday for what he called a "last attempt" to keep the government together.

Elections are not due until November 2019.

Mr Kahlon has said he does not think it is possible to continue with the existing coalition.

Mr Netanyahu said on November 18 it would be "unnecessary and wrong" to call snap polls - Credit: ABIR SULTAN/AFP/Getty Images
Mr Netanyahu said on November 18 it would be "unnecessary and wrong" to call snap polls Credit: ABIR SULTAN/AFP/Getty Images

"If (Mr Netanyahu) pulls a rabbit out of his hat, we'll see," Mr Kahlon told Israeli television Saturday. "Meanwhile, I don't see a rabbit or a hat."

Naftali Bennett, the education minister of the far-right Jewish Home party, which holds eight seats in parliament, has demanded the defence portfolio as a way of keeping the government together.

Netanyahu says he will take it over at least temporarily rather than hand the key ministry to one of his main right-wing rivals, though a last-minute deal could not be ruled out.

On Saturday, Bennett told Israeli television that Lieberman had "collapsed the government".

"There is no more government and we are heading towards elections," he said. "There is no other alternative."