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Former Israeli general Benny Gantz gets shot at forming government Former Israeli general Benny Gantz gets shot at forming government
(32 minutes later)
Israel’s president is expected to task the ex-military chief Benny Gantz with forging a government, after Benjamin Netanyahu failed to do so in the wake of an inconclusive September election. Israel’s president is expected to task the former military chief Benny Gantz with forming a government after Benjamin Netanyahu failed to do so following an inconclusive election last month.
Neither Gantz’s Blue and White party nor the incumbent prime minister’s Likud came out with a clear win, and few expect the opposition leader to form a coalition through deals with disparate political parties with ease. Neither Gantz’s Blue and White coalition nor the incumbent prime minister’s Likud party came out with a clear win, and few expect the opposition leader to form a coalition through deals with disparate political parties with ease.
He will have 28 days to try, after which parliament can nominate a third candidate, although that appears extremely unlikely given the divided makeup of Israel’s legislature, the Knesset.He will have 28 days to try, after which parliament can nominate a third candidate, although that appears extremely unlikely given the divided makeup of Israel’s legislature, the Knesset.
If no contender can end the political crisis, the country will face an unprecedented third election in one year. If no contender can end the political crisis, the country will face an unprecedented third election in a year.
President Reuven Rivlin is expected to officially mandate Gantz with the task at a ceremony at 8pm (6pm BST) at his residence, after which both men will give statements. The president, Reuven Rivlin, is expected to officially mandate Gantz with the task at a ceremony at 8pm (1700 GMT) at his residence, after which both men will give statements.
It would be the first time in more than a decade that anyone but Netanyahu would be given a chance to head the Israeli government.It would be the first time in more than a decade that anyone but Netanyahu would be given a chance to head the Israeli government.
An end to the Netanyahu era would be an extraordinary moment in Israeli politics, as he has led the country for a record-breaking total of more than 13 years. The move does not necessarily end the 70-year-old’s political career, nor his chances of leading the country’s next administration. An end to the Netanyahu era would be an extraordinary moment in Israeli politics, as he has led the country for a record-breaking total of more than 13 years. The move does not necessarily end his political career or his chances of leading the country’s next administration.
However, the stalemate has wounded the premier, especially as he has become more deeply embroiled in three potential corruption cases. Israel’s attorney general is expected to announce in the coming weeks if he plans to indict. However, the stalemate has wounded the prime minister, especially as he has become more deeply embroiled in three potential corruption cases. Israel’s attorney general is expected to announce in the coming weeks if he plans to indict.
The charges only add pressure on Netanyahu to remain in high office. If he retains the role of prime minister, he will not be required to step down, even if indicted. Netanyahu has denied all allegations. The charges add pressure on Netanyahu to remain in high office. If he retains the role of prime minister, he will not be required to step down, even if indicted. Netanyahu has denied all allegations.
The Israeli PM is embroiled in four cases involving allegations of bribery and misconduct. He denies wrongdoing in every instance.The Israeli PM is embroiled in four cases involving allegations of bribery and misconduct. He denies wrongdoing in every instance.
Case 1000 is an investigation into gifts received on a regular basis by Netanyahu and his family from two wealthy businessmen, including cigars and pink champagne.Case 1000 is an investigation into gifts received on a regular basis by Netanyahu and his family from two wealthy businessmen, including cigars and pink champagne.
Case 2000 is examining whether Netanyahu behaved improperly during a taped conversation with a newspaper publisher in which he appeared to try to negotiate more sympathetic coverage in return for lowering the circulation of a rival paper.Case 2000 is examining whether Netanyahu behaved improperly during a taped conversation with a newspaper publisher in which he appeared to try to negotiate more sympathetic coverage in return for lowering the circulation of a rival paper.
Case 3000 is an inquiry into alleged kickbacks in a deal to buy German submarines. Netanyahu is not a suspect, but he was closely involved in the deal and the case has ensnared members of his inner circle. Case 3000 is an inquiry into alleged kickbacks in a deal to buy German submarines. Netanyahu is not a suspect, but he was closely involved in the deal and the case has ensnared members of his inner circle. 
Case 4000, the most serious, involves allegations that Netanyahu offered incentives to the Israeli telecoms company Bezeq in exchange for positive stories in an online news website it owns, Walla.Case 4000, the most serious, involves allegations that Netanyahu offered incentives to the Israeli telecoms company Bezeq in exchange for positive stories in an online news website it owns, Walla.
To block Gantz’s chances, Netanyahu reportedly planned to meet with smaller right-wing and religious parties to agree not to ally with the opposition leader. To block Gantz’s chances, Netanyahu reportedly planned to meet smaller rightwing and religious parties to get them to agree not to ally with the opposition leader.
One route for Gantz to form a government would be to make a deal with Avigdor Lieberman, whose eight seats afford him a kingmaker status, and gain support from Arab parties. However, Lieberman, a staunch ultranationalist regularly accused of racism, has described Arab politicians as “enemies”. One route for Gantz to form a government would be to make a deal with Avigdor Lieberman, whose eight seats afford him kingmaker status, and gain support from Arab parties. However, Lieberman, a staunch ultranationalist regularly accused of racism, has described Arab politicians as “enemies”.
Lieberman, the president, Netanyahu and Gantz all say they want a unity government, possibly with a rotating premiership, but they are divided on how to achieve it. Lieberman, Rivlin, Netanyahu and Gantz all say they want a unity government, possibly with a rotating premiership, but they are divided on how to achieve it.
Blue and White argue Gantz should be prime minister first under any arrangement as his party won the most seats, finishing with 33 compared to the Likud’s 32 in the 120-seat Knesset. Blue and White argues Gantz should be prime minister first under any arrangement as his party won the most seats, finishing with 33 compared with Likud’s 32 in the 120-seat Knesset.
Gantz also says Blue and White cannot serve in a government with a prime minister facing serious indictment.Gantz also says Blue and White cannot serve in a government with a prime minister facing serious indictment.
IsraelIsrael
Benjamin NetanyahuBenjamin Netanyahu
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