Israeli Elections
“We prevented a fourth election,” Benny Gantz said in a tweet. “We will protect our democracy and fight against the coronavirus.”
Citing a “breakthrough” in negotiations, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz says he sees no reason a deal can’t be signed within days • E.U. officials said to warn Gantz against annexing territory in Judea and Samaria.
After unity talks between Blue and White leader Benny Gantz and incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fall through, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin gives the Knesset 21 days to form a government before new elections are called.
After Israeli President Reuven Rivlin extends his mandate to form a government based on a joint request from Blue and White and Likud, Benny Gantz has until midnight on Wednesday to sign an agreement.
With his mandate set to expire, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz asks Israeli President Reuven Rivlin for an extension, citing delays in unity talks due to the coronavirus pandemic and Passover holiday.
Labor Knesset member Mirav Michaeli declared, “You don’t sell out the party of [David] Ben-Gurion, [Yitzhak] Rabin and [Shimon] Peres.”
Blue and White leader Benny Gantz seems prepared to accept annexation of some settlement blocs west of the security barrier as a part of a unity deal with Likud, bringing the two parties closer to an agreement.
As Blue and White, Yisrael Beiteinu and the Joint list get to work creating and staffing six special parliamentary committees, the Likud blasts the proceedings as “undemocratic” and “unprecedented.”
The group has expressed concern by the “opposition’s attempts to ignore the choice of the Zionist majority.” And it is disappointed with Blue and White, as well as Yisrael Beiteinu, for including the Arab Knesset members, “who are known for openly supporting the interests of Israel’s enemies.”
Israeli premier says Likud and rival Blue and White have agreed on the contours of a unity deal, but if Blue and White moves to oust Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein, deal’s off • Gantz: “Those who want unity do not work with ultimatums.”
The goal of the negotiations is reportedly a broad, 105-member government, with a rotation agreement between Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz for the premiership.
“I have only one request of you: Give this people a government,” said Israeli President Reuven Rivlin.
