Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said on Thursday it was time to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and that there would be broad support to form a unity government led by Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party.
Centrist Lapid, who served briefly as prime minister last year, said he believed a large majority of the 120 lawmakers in the Knesset, or parliament, would sign on to such a coalition.
He made his comments as Israel pressed on with its military offensive in Gaza following Hamas' deadly October 7 rampage through southern Israel.
"The time has come - we need to establish a national reconstruction government. Likud will lead it, Netanyahu and the extremists will be replaced, over 90 members of the Knesset will be partners in the coalition for healing and reconnection," Lapid wrote on social media platform X.
Netanyahu's Likud is the largest party in Israel's ruling coalition, which includes ultra-nationalist and religious parties. Together they control 64 seats in parliament.
Lapid refused to join Netanyahu's war cabinet at the start of the war, though other centrist lawmakers agreed to do so and help manage the conflict.
"I hear those saying this is not the time. We waited 40 days, there is no more time. What we need now is a government that will deal with nothing other than security and the economy," Lapid wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"We can't afford another election cycle in the coming year in which we continue to fight and explain why the other side is a disaster."
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
INDIA's Bihar Ally Mukesh Sahani's Father Brutally Murdered At Home
Israeli PM Netanyahu Vows To "Increase Pressure" On Hamas In Gaza Palestine Embassy Thanks India For First Tranche Of $2.5 Million For Refugees US Raises Concerns With Israel Over "Unacceptably High" Gaza Civilian Deaths Amit Shah Meets PM, UP BJP Chief Offers To Quit Over Poll Drubbing: Sources "I Divorce You... Your Ex-Wife": Dubai Princess Dumps Husband In Insta Post In Massive Row Over Karnataka 100% Quota Bill, Chief Minister Deletes Post Are Doors Still Open For Nephew Ajit? Sharad Pawar Said This Karnataka High Court Gives Bail To 3 Murder Accused In Gauri Lankesh Case Consumption, Private Investment: The Twin Challenge For Budget FY25 Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.