Israeli Elections
“We have reunited the family,” says New Right leader Naftali Bennett, who will lead the joint list • United Jewish Home alliance: Unity deal represents “shattering of religious Zionism.”
The merger is a bid to augment the left’s electoral appeal and avoid losing votes within the bloc • New slate gives Labor-Gesher six and Meretz five of first 11 spots on new list.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly attempted to persuade him not to resign, but without success.
Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein meets with representatives of the Blue and White Party to discuss forming a temporary House Committee to decide on the prime minister’s immunity request.
“The right will not forgive” the leaders of the right-wing parties if they do not unite into a single list ahead of the March 2 elections, says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The request, which was submitted just hours before a midnight deadline on Wednesday, will likely postpone the prime minister’s trial until after Israel’s March 2 election.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s smash win in the primaries is giving the party a shot in the arm ahead of the battle leading up to March 2.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the media after his crushing victory over Likud rival Gideon Sa’ar.
“This is a huge victory! Thank you, Likud members, for your trust, support and love,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after the results were announced.
After failing to form governments in successive elections and with criminal indictments looming, many in the Likud are questioning whether Israel’s embattled premier still has the political capital necessary to deliver a new Likud-led government.
Israel’s High Court of Justice announces that it will debate the question of whether or not an indicted Knesset member can form a government, giving Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit 48 hours to submit his legal opinion on the issue.
Jewish Home officials call on party leader Rafi Peretz to cancel the agreement, claiming he acted without consulting them • Peretz: “These elections will decide the fate of the right-wing government and Religious Zionism. The call of the hour is unity.”
