Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu responded Wednesday evening to Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, who returned the mandate to form the government to President Reuven Rivlin.
"Benny Gantz, I will not address all the outlandish things you said about me tonight and your failure to form a unity government. It's not because you insisted on breaking up the [right-wing] bloc. After all, as Aryeh Deri revealed, you yourself turned to the haredi parties and tried to coax them all in to join your [government]. You were ready to form a minority government with terrorist supporters who receive their guidance from Israel's enemies. So let's not tell stories," Netanyahu said.
He said a unity government is the only solution to the current political deadlock. "One thing you said is true, Israel needs a unity government. Everyone sees what we stand for today. We are in a campaign against Iran on different fronts. We must never lose a moment."
"I answer you as follows: I am ready, without preconditions, to enter into an immediate discourse with you this evening to form a unity government. If we go together - we will succeed," Netanyahu concluded.