Israel election 2019: Benjamin Netanyahu calls on rival Benny Gantz to form coalition as exit polls indicate no clear winner

Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on his main challenger Benny Gantz on Thursday to form a unity government together as election results showed b oth without an obvious path to a majority coalition . Netanyahu, in a video message, said he preferred to form a right-wing coalition, but the results showed it was not possible. [caption id=“attachment_4986281” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Reuters[/caption] The admission was a major development following Israel’s general election on Tuesday that has put Netanyahu’s status as the country’s longest-serving prime minister at risk. “During the elections, I called for the establishment of a right-wing government,” Netanyahu said. “But unfortunately the election results show that this is not possible.” He went on to call on Gantz to form a “broad unity government today.” Gantz had not yet responded, but he has repeatedly called for a unity government. It is unclear however if he would accept such a government with Netanyahu, who faces possible corruption charges in the weeks ahead, remaining as prime minister.