A last-minute effort on Tuesday night by Blue and White Party leader Benny Gantz and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a unity government agreement ended with no breakthrough.
Following the meeting, which lasted an hour, Gantz said, “Some principles and values can’t be given up,” even if it means the country going to its third election in less than a year.
He noted that despite the lack of progress in talks with Netanyahu, Blue and White will continue to attempt to form a majority government until Gantz’s mandate to do so expires on Wednesday at midnight.
If Gantz is unable to form a government, the country will likely face a third election.
Prior to Tuesday’s meeting, Gantz and Netanyahu last met for direct talks on Oct. 27, a few days after Gantz was tasked by Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin with forming government following Netanyahu’s inability to do so.