Top Likud negotiator Tourism Minister Yariv Levin told Israel’s Reshet Bet radio on Monday morning that the Blue and White Party has not ruled out the creation of a minority government with the help of the Joint List.
“I asked at the beginning of the [Sunday- morning coalition negotiation] meeting whether the negotiations we are currently conducting are genuine or a cover for other negotiations that are underway with Ayman Odeh and the Joint List to form a minority government that relies on the Arab parties,” said Levin. “I was told explicitly that they keep all their options open and do not rule out that option.”
Levin said that Likud would not join such a government, and that he believes it would be toppled quickly if it succeeded in being formed at all.
He expressed his support for a unity government in which Benjamin Netanyahu, and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, both served as prime minister under a rotation agreement, but said such a government “does not leave out those who wear yarmulkes or those who don’t.”
“Once Blue and White realize that all these fantasies about breaking up the right wing are not feasible, then there will be a genuine opening for substantial, serious talks, and perhaps for the establishment of a broad government, which I believe is a vital need,” said Levin.
