Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced his intention to form a broader coalition government following the country’s upcoming elections, signaling a departure from his previous alignment with far-right forces. Speaking during a televised briefing over the weekend, Netanyahu said he aims to establish a “broad national government” rather than one firmly rooted in either right-wing or left-wing factions.

Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, reaffirmed his plan to run in the national elections scheduled to take place no later than October 27. He emphasized a willingness to include diverse political groups, specifying that his envisioned coalition would exclude neither the left nor right but would exclude reliance on Arab parties. “Everyone will be able to join; they simply need to agree to our basic principles, that Israel is the nation-state of the Jewish people and that we respect individual rights,” he said, underscoring a desire to end political boycotts.

The announcement marks a notable shift for Netanyahu, who currently leads one of Israel’s most right-wing governments in recent history. This move appears aimed at broadening his electoral appeal amid declining public support. Recent polls indicate a substantial drop in Netanyahu’s approval ratings—from 40.5 percent in early March to 29.4 percent in June—attributed in part to dissatisfaction over recent conflicts and security issues.

Public sentiment has been heavily influenced by the ongoing conflict with Iran, which escalated into a regional confrontation earlier this year. Israel, alongside the United States, launched operations against Iran in late February. However, Israel's exclusion from subsequent ceasefire negotiations has fostered perceptions among many Israelis that Tehran emerged dominant from the confrontation. A Hebrew University of Jerusalem survey found that over 92 percent of Israelis believe Iran won the conflict, further undermining support for Netanyahu’s government.

Additionally, widespread criticism has persisted over security lapses related to the October 7 Hamas attacks, which catalyzed the current Gaza conflict. These attacks heightened public scrutiny of the government’s preparedness and response.

Netanyahu’s call for a broad, inclusive government reflects an attempt to reframe his leadership around national unity in the face of mounting political challenges and public dissatisfaction. Whether this strategy will translate into electoral success remains to be seen as Israel approaches what is expected to be a closely contested vote.