Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on his main rival, former general Benny Gantz, to join him in a broad, governing coalition after Israel’s election with no clear winner.
A spokeswoman for Gantz, leader of the centrist Blue and White party, had no immediate response to the surprise offer from Netanyahu, head of the right-wing Likud party.
The change of strategy reflected Netanyahu’s weakened position after he failed again in Tuesday’s election, which followed an inconclusive ballot in April, to secure a parliamentary majority.
On Wednesday, Gantz said he hoped for a “good, desirable unity government” but he has also ruled out forming one with a Netanyahu-led Likud, citing looming corruption charges against the prime minister. Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing.