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Israeli rivals hold unity government talks to tackle coronavirus Israel election: Gantz vows to form 'broad' unity government within days
(about 13 hours later)
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin has met the leaders of two rival political parties to try to form a unity cabinet to tackle the coronavirus crisis. Benny Gantz - the main political rival to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - has been given the chance to form a new coalition government in Israel.
No deal was reached, but PM Benjamin Netanyahu, who heads Likud, and Benny Gantz of the Blue and White bloc, said the talks would continue on Monday. Mr Netanyahu's Likud party won more seats than Mr Gantz's Blue and White in the general election. But Mr Gantz was backed by a thin majority of lawmakers.
The crisis meeting follows Israel's third inconclusive elections in a year. The former military chief vowed to form "a national unity government, as broad as possible, within days".
Last week, Israel said everyone arriving in the country must self-quarantine for 14 days. It comes as Israel confronts an outbreak of the coronavirus.
Israel has recorded 200 confirmed cases of Covid-19, but no deaths. Much of the country has been brought to a standstill in an effort to contain 250 cases.
What happened at the talks? More than 50,000 people have been placed in isolation; schools and universities have been closed; and gatherings of more than 10 people have been banned.
Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gantz were invited on Sunday evening to the president's office for "an urgent conversation" - but the talks ended without a breakthrough. The opening of Mr Netanyahu's trial on corruption charges has also been delayed.
However, both Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gantz pledged to resume the talks on Monday, a move welcomed by the president. The Palestinians have reported 39 cases of Covid-19 - the disease caused by the new virus - in the occupied West Bank.
Before the talks, Mr Gantz had been expected to be asked to form a new government, after he appeared to have secured the support of 61 lawmakers in the 120-member parliament (Knesset). What is the background?
But now a compromise option is also being discussed. It envisages that a unity government would be led in turn by Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gantz, Israeli media report. The election on 2 March was Israel's third in less than a year. Neither of the main party leaders was able to command a majority following the last two rounds.
President Rivlin has until Tuesday to decide whom to ask to form a new cabinet. This time, Likud won 36 seats, and allied right-wing and religious parties another 22. But that left Mr Netanyahu three short of a majority in the 120-seat Knesset.
Much of Israel has been brought to a standstill, as the country tries to contain the coronavirus outbreak. Blue and White meanwhile won 33 seats; the Joint List representing Israel's Arab minority came third with 15 seats; the centre-left Labour-Gesher-Meretz list won seven; and the nationalist Yisrael Beitenu party also got seven.
What's the background to this? Over the weekend, President Reuven Rivlin asked all parties about who they recommended he task with forming a governing coalition.
The 2 March elections failed to break the political deadlock that has paralysed Israeli politics, triggering weeks of political horse-trading. Sixty-one lawmakers supported Mr Gantz, including those from the Joint List and Yisrael Beitenu, compared to 58 for Mr Netanyahu. One lawmaker chose not to give a recommendation.
Mr Netanyahu, 70, is Israel's longest-serving prime minister. He is seeking a record fifth term, having been in office from 1996 to 1999 and again from 2009. Mr Netanyahu had proposed that he lead a "national emergency" government for six months to confront the Covid-19 crisis.
During the election campaign he presented himself as the only candidate who could guarantee the country's security, despite facing a trial on corruption charges that he denies. What happened on Monday?
The trial - that was due to start on Monday - has been postponed for at least two months because of the coronavirus crisis. Mr Rivlin officially gave the Blue and White leader the mandate.
Mr Gantz is a former chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Noting "the greatness of the challenges facing us", the president urged Mr Gantz and "all elected officials" to move swiftly to form a government.
The 60-year-old politician has previously refused to be part of any coalition government led by someone facing criminal charges. "A fourth election is impossible at this time of crisis," he warned.
Mr Gantz will have 28 days to try to form a coalition, after which he may ask for a 14-day extension.
After receiving the mandate, he said: "I will serve the voters of all of the parties and all the citizens of Israel. I will lead the effort to heal the Israeli society of the coronavirus, as well as from the virus of hatred and division.
"These are not normal days," he added. "Leaders must put aside personal considerations."
He called on Mr Netanyahu to agree to a unity deal, but also criticised what he said were "the illegitimate efforts by the current prime minister to evade justice".
Mr Netanyahu had been due in court on Tuesday to face charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in connection with three separate cases. But the hearing has now been postponed until at least 24 May because of the Covid-19 outbreak.
The prime minister is alleged to have accepted gifts from wealthy businessmen and dispensed favours to try to get more positive press coverage. He has denied any wrongdoing, saying he is the victim of a politically motivated "witch hunt".
The BBC's Tom Bateman in Jerusalem says the backing for Mr Gantz is a blow to Mr Netanyahu, but that it does little to break the deadlock that has paralysed Israeli politics.
Most MPs supported giving Mr Gantz the first go at putting together a coalition, but their appetite to dislodge Mr Netanyahu is all some of them really agree on, our correspondent adds.