JERUSALEM, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Defence Minister Ehud Barak's split from the Labor Party has strengthened Israel's governing coalition.

The government has grown much stronger today, in its governance, in its stability -- and this is important for Israel, Netanyahu said after Barak and four Labour allies broke from the party.

The whole world knows, and the Palestinians know, that this government will be around for the next few years and that it is with this government that they should negotiate for peace, Netanyahu told reporters. (Writing by Jeffrey Heller; Editing by Louise Ireland)