Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that he hopes Israel’s High Court of Justice does not interfere in the formation of a new government, saying that it could lead to the “catastrophe” of Israel going back to elections for a fourth time in a little more than a year.
Netanyahu’s remarks came as the High Court heard petitions against the national-unity agreement reached last month between the Likud Party and Benny Gantz’s Blue and White Party. The court is expected to deliver its ruling this week.
“We hope the court doesn’t interfere. It doesn’t need to interfere. There is the will of the people, the clear expression of the will of the people,” said Netanyahu, according to Reuters.
If the court disrupts the coalition agreement, he said, it “increases the chances that we will be dragged to fourth elections, something that will be a catastrophe.”
After drawn-out negotiations, Netanyahu and Gantz reached an agreement last month whereby the two will share the premiership, with Netanyahu serving as prime minister for the first 18 months, after which Gantz would serve as premier for the next 18 months.
