PM says he’s offered likely coalition partners proposal on draft law ‘to prevent unnecessary elections

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issues a video statement, saying he is making a “last-ditch effort to form a right-wing government and prevent unnecessary elections.”

Referring to Yisrael Beytenu along with the Shas and United Torah Judaism ultra-Orthodox parties, the premier says he has offered his likely coalition partners a proposal for a solution to the stalemate in negotiations over legislation regulating exemptions from mandatory IDF service for yeshiva students.

“It is based on the principles established by the army and on the data that the army has determined. There is no reason to reject this [proposal],” Netanyahu says.

“I’m going to invite all party leaders [for a meeting] tonight. I want to talk to them so we can try together to prevent unnecessary elections.”