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Benny Gantz, With Thin Majority, Wins Chance to Form Israeli Government Benny Gantz, With Thin Majority, Wins Chance to Form Israeli Government
(about 5 hours later)
JERUSALEM — Benny Gantz, the centrist former army chief battling to depose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, on Sunday won the endorsements of a narrow majority of lawmakers, earning him a fresh chance to form a government and break Israel’s yearlong political deadlock.JERUSALEM — Benny Gantz, the centrist former army chief battling to depose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, on Sunday won the endorsements of a narrow majority of lawmakers, earning him a fresh chance to form a government and break Israel’s yearlong political deadlock.
The surprise majority for Mr. Gantz, 60, who earned the backing both of Arab lawmakers often accused of sympathizing with terrorists and from ultranationalist lawmakers often called rabidly anti-Arab, puts him in a stronger-than-expected position to try to pry loose Mr. Netanyahu’s 11-year grip on power.The surprise majority for Mr. Gantz, 60, who earned the backing both of Arab lawmakers often accused of sympathizing with terrorists and from ultranationalist lawmakers often called rabidly anti-Arab, puts him in a stronger-than-expected position to try to pry loose Mr. Netanyahu’s 11-year grip on power.
Israel’s president, Reuven Rivlin, said he would formally assign Mr. Gantz, of the Blue and White party, the mandate to form a government at midday on Monday.Israel’s president, Reuven Rivlin, said he would formally assign Mr. Gantz, of the Blue and White party, the mandate to form a government at midday on Monday.
But Mr. Rivlin also summoned Mr. Gantz and Mr. Netanyahu, 70, to his residence Sunday night for an “urgent conversation” about the possibility of bringing their parties together in a national unity government to contend with the emergency posed by the coronavirus pandemic. After about 90 minutes, Mr. Gantz and Mr. Netanyahu emerged and promised that their aides would continue the talks.But Mr. Rivlin also summoned Mr. Gantz and Mr. Netanyahu, 70, to his residence Sunday night for an “urgent conversation” about the possibility of bringing their parties together in a national unity government to contend with the emergency posed by the coronavirus pandemic. After about 90 minutes, Mr. Gantz and Mr. Netanyahu emerged and promised that their aides would continue the talks.
The momentous goings-on came on an extraordinarily tumultuous day. With much of the country grinding to a halt or stuck at home, Israeli citizens were still absorbing news of draconian measures that Mr. Netanyahu’s caretaker government was considering to fight the virus, including an idea to deploy secret surveillance tools now used to hunt terrorists to identify people who should be quarantined.The momentous goings-on came on an extraordinarily tumultuous day. With much of the country grinding to a halt or stuck at home, Israeli citizens were still absorbing news of draconian measures that Mr. Netanyahu’s caretaker government was considering to fight the virus, including an idea to deploy secret surveillance tools now used to hunt terrorists to identify people who should be quarantined.
Then, early Sunday, came word that the court system had been effectively shut down in a middle-of-the-night decree by Mr. Netanyahu’s handpicked justice minister, and that, a few hours later, Mr. Netanyahu’s criminal trial on bribery and other corruption charges, which was set to open on Tuesday, had been pushed off at least until late May.Then, early Sunday, came word that the court system had been effectively shut down in a middle-of-the-night decree by Mr. Netanyahu’s handpicked justice minister, and that, a few hours later, Mr. Netanyahu’s criminal trial on bribery and other corruption charges, which was set to open on Tuesday, had been pushed off at least until late May.
The unexpected postponement set off a wave of criticism from Mr. Netanyahu’s opponents. “We have the Italian mafia here, and how,” Yariv Oppenheimer, a former director of Peace Now, wrote on Twitter.The unexpected postponement set off a wave of criticism from Mr. Netanyahu’s opponents. “We have the Italian mafia here, and how,” Yariv Oppenheimer, a former director of Peace Now, wrote on Twitter.
“Courts and parliamentary operations must not be suspended, even in emergencies,” said Nitzan Horowitz, leader of the left-wing Meretz party.“Courts and parliamentary operations must not be suspended, even in emergencies,” said Nitzan Horowitz, leader of the left-wing Meretz party.
Mr. Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving premier, is accused of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three cases in which prosecutors say he traded lucrative official favors with Israeli media tycoons who rewarded him with expensive gifts and with obsequiously positive news coverage.Mr. Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving premier, is accused of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three cases in which prosecutors say he traded lucrative official favors with Israeli media tycoons who rewarded him with expensive gifts and with obsequiously positive news coverage.
He failed on March 2 to win a new term outright after he again fell short of a majority in parliamentary elections, the third inconclusive ballot in less than a year.He failed on March 2 to win a new term outright after he again fell short of a majority in parliamentary elections, the third inconclusive ballot in less than a year.
Anti-Netanyahu forces led by Mr. Gantz won a slim majority in Parliament, but until a government is formed, Mr. Netanyahu’s holdover coalition of right-wing and religious parties remains in charge.Anti-Netanyahu forces led by Mr. Gantz won a slim majority in Parliament, but until a government is formed, Mr. Netanyahu’s holdover coalition of right-wing and religious parties remains in charge.
But the caretaker government is wanting for public legitimacy, a problem that has become critical as Mr. Netanyahu has ordered drastic action to curtail the routines of daily life in response to the coronavirus.But the caretaker government is wanting for public legitimacy, a problem that has become critical as Mr. Netanyahu has ordered drastic action to curtail the routines of daily life in response to the coronavirus.
As Israel’s coronavirus caseload topped 200 Sunday morning, the government ordered the closing of all leisure venues, including cafes, restaurants, gyms, day care centers and cultural institutions. Public gatherings are limited to 10 people, and workers must work from home if possible. Mr. Netanyahu tested negative for the virus on Sunday, officials said.As Israel’s coronavirus caseload topped 200 Sunday morning, the government ordered the closing of all leisure venues, including cafes, restaurants, gyms, day care centers and cultural institutions. Public gatherings are limited to 10 people, and workers must work from home if possible. Mr. Netanyahu tested negative for the virus on Sunday, officials said.
In a first, all 15 members of the combined slate of predominantly Arab parties, the Joint List, joined lawmakers from several Jewish parties in recommending Mr. Gantz to Mr. Rivlin.In a first, all 15 members of the combined slate of predominantly Arab parties, the Joint List, joined lawmakers from several Jewish parties in recommending Mr. Gantz to Mr. Rivlin.
Leaving the president’s residence on Sunday, Ayman Odeh, the Joint List’s leader, said it had recommended Mr. Gantz in part out of concern for Israeli democracy. “We see fascism in the regime,” he told reporters, “not in the society, but in the one who heads the government, Benjamin Netanyahu.”Leaving the president’s residence on Sunday, Ayman Odeh, the Joint List’s leader, said it had recommended Mr. Gantz in part out of concern for Israeli democracy. “We see fascism in the regime,” he told reporters, “not in the society, but in the one who heads the government, Benjamin Netanyahu.”
Among the Jewish parties backing Mr. Gantz was the seven-seat, ultranationalist party Yisrael Beiteinu, led by Avigdor Liberman, a onetime ally of Mr. Netanyahu who has made it his mission to end the prime minister’s career.Among the Jewish parties backing Mr. Gantz was the seven-seat, ultranationalist party Yisrael Beiteinu, led by Avigdor Liberman, a onetime ally of Mr. Netanyahu who has made it his mission to end the prime minister’s career.
Both Mr. Liberman and leaders of the Joint List had kept their intentions in doubt right up until their meetings with Mr. Rivlin.Both Mr. Liberman and leaders of the Joint List had kept their intentions in doubt right up until their meetings with Mr. Rivlin.
The most surprising support for Mr. Gantz came from the three lawmakers belonging to Balad, an Arab-nationalist faction in the Joint List that opposes the idea of Israel as a Jewish state. Mtanes Shehadeh, the party’s leader, said Balad had initially planned to abstain from recommending Mr. Gantz, but endorsed him “in order to topple the leadership of the largest generators of incitement against the Arab society and its leadership.”The most surprising support for Mr. Gantz came from the three lawmakers belonging to Balad, an Arab-nationalist faction in the Joint List that opposes the idea of Israel as a Jewish state. Mtanes Shehadeh, the party’s leader, said Balad had initially planned to abstain from recommending Mr. Gantz, but endorsed him “in order to topple the leadership of the largest generators of incitement against the Arab society and its leadership.”
Mr. Gantz remains a great distance away from ousting Mr. Netanyahu. His ability to play hardball politics is constrained by the virus emergency and by an almost universal public aversion to a fourth election. And he will need to hold together his motley collection of supporters, who are anything but natural allies, in the face of an anticipated onslaught from Mr. Netanyahu and his defenders.Mr. Gantz remains a great distance away from ousting Mr. Netanyahu. His ability to play hardball politics is constrained by the virus emergency and by an almost universal public aversion to a fourth election. And he will need to hold together his motley collection of supporters, who are anything but natural allies, in the face of an anticipated onslaught from Mr. Netanyahu and his defenders.
Still, in contrast to last fall, when he and Mr. Netanyahu each took a turn trying to form a government without success, Mr. Gantz holds important new advantages.Still, in contrast to last fall, when he and Mr. Netanyahu each took a turn trying to form a government without success, Mr. Gantz holds important new advantages.
Crucially, he now has the backing of an absolute parliamentary majority, however thin. That gives Mr. Gantz the initiative, and his supporters say Mr. Netanyahu will have to either acquiesce to Mr. Gantz’s becoming prime minister or stand in the way — at a time when the public health emergency has created grave political risks for any lawmaker seen as obstructing the response to it.Crucially, he now has the backing of an absolute parliamentary majority, however thin. That gives Mr. Gantz the initiative, and his supporters say Mr. Netanyahu will have to either acquiesce to Mr. Gantz’s becoming prime minister or stand in the way — at a time when the public health emergency has created grave political risks for any lawmaker seen as obstructing the response to it.
Moreover, the funding crunch that is being felt by recipients of government largess after more than a year without a national budget could eventually encourage even some of Mr. Netanyahu’s staunchest allies — the ultra-Orthodox parties, whose constituents rely heavily on such benefits — to relent, supporters of Mr. Gantz said.Moreover, the funding crunch that is being felt by recipients of government largess after more than a year without a national budget could eventually encourage even some of Mr. Netanyahu’s staunchest allies — the ultra-Orthodox parties, whose constituents rely heavily on such benefits — to relent, supporters of Mr. Gantz said.
Mr. Gantz is said to prefer a unity government under his leadership in which Blue and White is joined by Mr. Netanyahu’s secular, right-of-center Likud party. The two parties, Israel’s largest, would enjoy a healthy 69-seat majority in Parliament and, polls show, broad popular support. But Likud has adamantly rejected the idea until now, insisting that Mr. Netanyahu continue as prime minister in any deal.Mr. Gantz is said to prefer a unity government under his leadership in which Blue and White is joined by Mr. Netanyahu’s secular, right-of-center Likud party. The two parties, Israel’s largest, would enjoy a healthy 69-seat majority in Parliament and, polls show, broad popular support. But Likud has adamantly rejected the idea until now, insisting that Mr. Netanyahu continue as prime minister in any deal.
Updated June 22, 2020 Updated June 24, 2020
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
With Mr. Rivlin assigning Mr. Gantz the mandate, however, Blue and White on Sunday signaled its intent to force a vote on a new speaker of Parliament, a key office now held by Mr. Netanyahu’s Likud party. That would free Blue and White to appoint committee leaders and get Parliament up and running again, among other things to provide oversight to the Netanyahu government’s response to the virus.With Mr. Rivlin assigning Mr. Gantz the mandate, however, Blue and White on Sunday signaled its intent to force a vote on a new speaker of Parliament, a key office now held by Mr. Netanyahu’s Likud party. That would free Blue and White to appoint committee leaders and get Parliament up and running again, among other things to provide oversight to the Netanyahu government’s response to the virus.
A new speaker would also allow Blue and White to control the legislative process — which could help it pressure Likud, for example by advancing legislation to impose term limits or other measures that could prevent Mr. Netanyahu from running if a fourth election becomes necessary.A new speaker would also allow Blue and White to control the legislative process — which could help it pressure Likud, for example by advancing legislation to impose term limits or other measures that could prevent Mr. Netanyahu from running if a fourth election becomes necessary.
The Joint List’s endorsement of Mr. Gantz aside, Arab lawmakers are not about to join a new Israeli government: They are loath to share responsibility for the Israeli occupation of the West Bank or for future military action against their fellow Palestinians in Gaza, among other things.The Joint List’s endorsement of Mr. Gantz aside, Arab lawmakers are not about to join a new Israeli government: They are loath to share responsibility for the Israeli occupation of the West Bank or for future military action against their fellow Palestinians in Gaza, among other things.
But the prospect that the Joint List could side with Mr. Gantz in potential no-confidence votes, as Arab parties did for Yitzhak Rabin in the 1990s, could be helpful to Mr. Gantz in negotiating with other potential coalition partners.But the prospect that the Joint List could side with Mr. Gantz in potential no-confidence votes, as Arab parties did for Yitzhak Rabin in the 1990s, could be helpful to Mr. Gantz in negotiating with other potential coalition partners.
For his part, Mr. Netanyahu worked feverishly on Sunday to bolster his chances of holding on.For his part, Mr. Netanyahu worked feverishly on Sunday to bolster his chances of holding on.
Shortly before the start of the party leaders’ consultations with Mr. Rivlin, he announced that he had again asked Mr. Gantz to “join a national emergency government headed by me.” He said he had proposed to lead such a government for two years and then to allow Mr. Gantz to take over as prime minister.Shortly before the start of the party leaders’ consultations with Mr. Rivlin, he announced that he had again asked Mr. Gantz to “join a national emergency government headed by me.” He said he had proposed to lead such a government for two years and then to allow Mr. Gantz to take over as prime minister.
But opponents of Mr. Netanyahu have spurned his previous overtures about such a rotation agreement on the grounds that they do not believe he would keep a promise to step aside.But opponents of Mr. Netanyahu have spurned his previous overtures about such a rotation agreement on the grounds that they do not believe he would keep a promise to step aside.
Mr. Gantz responded witheringly to the idea. “Netanyahu, let’s not manipulate the public,” he wrote on Twitter. “If you’re interested in unity, why postpone your trial at 1 a.m. and send an ‘emergency unity’ outline to the press, instead of sending your negotiating team to a meeting? Unlike you, I will continue to support every appropriate governmental measure, leaving political considerations aside. When you get serious, we can talk.”Mr. Gantz responded witheringly to the idea. “Netanyahu, let’s not manipulate the public,” he wrote on Twitter. “If you’re interested in unity, why postpone your trial at 1 a.m. and send an ‘emergency unity’ outline to the press, instead of sending your negotiating team to a meeting? Unlike you, I will continue to support every appropriate governmental measure, leaving political considerations aside. When you get serious, we can talk.”
Even before the postponement of Mr. Netanyahu’s criminal trial, his opponents had accused him of exploiting the pandemic to consolidate his power and to try to force the establishment of a national unity government with himself at its head.Even before the postponement of Mr. Netanyahu’s criminal trial, his opponents had accused him of exploiting the pandemic to consolidate his power and to try to force the establishment of a national unity government with himself at its head.
“Everyone who criticized us when we warned that we were turning into Erdogan’s Turkey should acknowledge and internalize the cynical exploitation of the coronavirus crisis for the personal political interests of a defendant before a trial,” Moshe Yaalon, another former army chief who is a leader of Mr. Gantz’s party, wrote on Twitter just before midnight Saturday.“Everyone who criticized us when we warned that we were turning into Erdogan’s Turkey should acknowledge and internalize the cynical exploitation of the coronavirus crisis for the personal political interests of a defendant before a trial,” Moshe Yaalon, another former army chief who is a leader of Mr. Gantz’s party, wrote on Twitter just before midnight Saturday.
After the shutdown of the court system, Mr. Yaalon added: “Blue and White has enlisted to eradicate the coronavirus, unconditionally and without political interests. Blue and White cannot be complicit in the elimination of democracy in our country by a defendant running away from justice.”After the shutdown of the court system, Mr. Yaalon added: “Blue and White has enlisted to eradicate the coronavirus, unconditionally and without political interests. Blue and White cannot be complicit in the elimination of democracy in our country by a defendant running away from justice.”
Isabel Kershner contributed reporting.Isabel Kershner contributed reporting.