Israeli Elections
Talks between the two countries are in “pause mode” due to Israel’s political gridlock, Jordanian monarch says during New York conference.
“Israel Hayom” survey predicts Likud would win 33 mandates in the new elections compared to Blue and White’s 34, while Yisrael Beiteinu is expected to fall from its current nine Knesset seats to seven.
With the right rallying behind the Israeli prime minister and the left-wing opposition calling for his resignation, the political stalemate inflicting the Jewish state has no end in sight.
Lawmakers now have 21 days in which any of the 61 Knesset members can back any member of the Knesset as prime minister.
“Some principles and values can’t be given up,” even if it means going back to elections, says Blue and White leader Benny Gantz.
Blue and White Party leader Benny Gantz will sit down with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday night with just 26 hours to go before his mandate expires.
Blue and White minority coalition would be celebrated by Israel’s enemies “like a terror attack,” Israeli premier says at Likud rally • Party calls on Netanyahu to abandon right-wing bloc.
Minority government “the worst option of all,” says Israeli premier • Gantz: “Send in your negotiating partners, and let’s finally resume direct and genuine talks.”
Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman’s threat to join a Blue and White-led minority government with Arab parties is “highly implausible,” says Likud official.
“I release [Benjamin] Netanyahu from any commitment to me and to the New Right, and am ready to sit in the opposition. The main thing is to get a government established,” says the New Right leader.
Benny Gantz is eyeing a possible minority government with the Joint Arab List, though Knesset members insist that won’t happen—and neither would a third round of elections, if they can help it.
“The Western Wall is long enough for all,” Blue and White Party leader Benny Gantz tells Jewish leaders meeting in Jerusalem, vowing to promote the implementation of the 2016 Western Wall agreement if given the chance.
