Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is fighting back against a movement to form a new unity government that will oust him.
Netanyahu said such a move would be a danger to the country and national security.
Netanyahu's warnings came after Naftali Bennett submitted a proposal to form a coalition with a centrist party. Netanyahu's opponents have set a Wednesday deadline to form the unity government.
If the new government is formed, it would bring an end to the rule of the country's longest-serving prime minister. Netanyahu is currently facing multiple corruption charges, which could send him to jail.
Netanyahu failed to secure a decisive majority during Israel's last general election in March - the nation's fourth inconclusive election in the last two years.
Centrist opposition leader Yair Lapid said forming a unity government would be difficult as "many obstacles" need to be addressed.
"We'll have to overcome them together. That's our first test - to see if we can find smart compromises in the coming days to achieve the greater goal," Lapid said.
Political analysts said Bennett may have a hard time getting support from Arab politicians. Bennett is known to be a staunch supporter of Jewish settlement in West Jerusalem.
Netanyahu reiterated that fact and the dangers of having a left-wing government lead the country given the recent Gaza conflict. The 71-year-old politician said left-wing leaders would weaken the country's security cabinet.
"Don't form a left-wing government - such a government is a danger to Israel's security and future," Netanyahu said.
According to sources with knowledge in the matter, under the proposed unity government, Bennett would replace Netanyahu as the country's prime minister. He will reportedly later give way to Lapid as part of a rotation agreement.
Proponents of the new government said the coalition would bring together factions from the right, left and center of Israel politics, most of whom want to see the end of Netanyahu's time in office.
"A country that is divided and violent won't be able to deal with Iran or with the economy. A leadership that incites us against one another harms our ability to deal with the challenges we face," Lapid said.
