Labor Party chief refuses to boycott coalition with Haredi parties

Labor chief Merav Michaeli says peace between Israel and the Palestinians is “first and foremost an Israeli interest” and that resolving the conflict is a top priority of the center-left party.

In a pre-election interview with Channel 12 news, Michaeli says she’ll “make every effort” to replace Netanyahu as prime minister. She also refuses to rule out sitting in a coalition with Haredi parties, after the head of the left-wing Meretz party asked why she was willing to be part of a government with the ultra-Orthodox.

“We don’t boycott any community,” she says.

Michaeli also won’t commit to recommending Yair Lapid as prime minister after the elections, saying Labor will back whoever is able to put together a majority coalition to replace Netanyahu.

Speaking after Michaeli, Defense Minister Benny Gantz says he’ll back his former ally Lapid if the opposition leader is able to form a government.