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| Israeli Election Rivals Seek Deadline Extension to Form Unity Government | Israeli Election Rivals Seek Deadline Extension to Form Unity Government |
| (3 days later) | |
| JERUSALEM — With the negotiations over a unity government in Israel at a critical juncture, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his chief rival, Benny Gantz, asked the country’s president early on Tuesday to extend the deadline to form a joint coalition to midnight Wednesday. | JERUSALEM — With the negotiations over a unity government in Israel at a critical juncture, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his chief rival, Benny Gantz, asked the country’s president early on Tuesday to extend the deadline to form a joint coalition to midnight Wednesday. |
| The two sides, hampered by discord and acrimony in their discussions over a power-sharing deal, had been unable to reach an agreement before a deadline passed at midnight Monday. | The two sides, hampered by discord and acrimony in their discussions over a power-sharing deal, had been unable to reach an agreement before a deadline passed at midnight Monday. |
| The president, Reuven Rivlin, acceded to the extension request on the understanding that the two sides were close to an agreement, according to a statement early Tuesday morning from his office. | The president, Reuven Rivlin, acceded to the extension request on the understanding that the two sides were close to an agreement, according to a statement early Tuesday morning from his office. |
| If the two sides cannot resolve their differences by Wednesday night, Mr. Rivlin is expected to refer the task of forming a government to Parliament, a step that would start a countdown toward a possible new election, Israel’s fourth in little over a year. | If the two sides cannot resolve their differences by Wednesday night, Mr. Rivlin is expected to refer the task of forming a government to Parliament, a step that would start a countdown toward a possible new election, Israel’s fourth in little over a year. |
| The Parliament would then have 21 days to come up with a candidate for prime minister endorsed by 61 members of the 120-member assembly. Failing that, Parliament would automatically disperse, sending Israelis back to the ballot box. | The Parliament would then have 21 days to come up with a candidate for prime minister endorsed by 61 members of the 120-member assembly. Failing that, Parliament would automatically disperse, sending Israelis back to the ballot box. |
| In separate televised statements on Monday night, just hours before the original deadline, both Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Gantz expressed their desire for a unity government, citing the emergency created by the coronavirus pandemic, but neither explained what was standing in the way of an agreement. | In separate televised statements on Monday night, just hours before the original deadline, both Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Gantz expressed their desire for a unity government, citing the emergency created by the coronavirus pandemic, but neither explained what was standing in the way of an agreement. |
| “We will keep making every effort to achieve the unity that the country so needs these days,” Mr. Netanyahu said in a speech that began with a lengthy explanation of the latest coronavirus restrictions. Soon after, he called on Mr. Gantz to negotiate. | “We will keep making every effort to achieve the unity that the country so needs these days,” Mr. Netanyahu said in a speech that began with a lengthy explanation of the latest coronavirus restrictions. Soon after, he called on Mr. Gantz to negotiate. |
| “Benny, I’m waiting for you in the prime minister’s residence in Jerusalem,” Mr. Netanyahu wrote on Twitter. “Let’s meet and sign even tonight on forming a national emergency government that will save lives and work for the citizens of Israel.” | “Benny, I’m waiting for you in the prime minister’s residence in Jerusalem,” Mr. Netanyahu wrote on Twitter. “Let’s meet and sign even tonight on forming a national emergency government that will save lives and work for the citizens of Israel.” |
| In an impassioned speech half an hour later, Mr. Gantz, who was unable to form his own coalition despite having received more endorsements from lawmakers than Mr. Netanyahu did after the March election, exhorted the prime minister to come to an agreement. | In an impassioned speech half an hour later, Mr. Gantz, who was unable to form his own coalition despite having received more endorsements from lawmakers than Mr. Netanyahu did after the March election, exhorted the prime minister to come to an agreement. |
| “Netanyahu, we have arrived at the moment of truth,” he said. “The citizens of Israel expect us — both of us — to make difficult decisions.” | “Netanyahu, we have arrived at the moment of truth,” he said. “The citizens of Israel expect us — both of us — to make difficult decisions.” |
| Last month’s election, the third inconclusive ballot since April 2019, left Mr. Gantz’s centrist Blue and White party and its allies with a slight numeric advantage in Parliament but, like Mr. Netanyahu’s conservative Likud party, it was unable to muster a majority coalition. | Last month’s election, the third inconclusive ballot since April 2019, left Mr. Gantz’s centrist Blue and White party and its allies with a slight numeric advantage in Parliament but, like Mr. Netanyahu’s conservative Likud party, it was unable to muster a majority coalition. |
| The only apparent way out of the deadlock was to join forces. | The only apparent way out of the deadlock was to join forces. |
| Citing the good of the country, Mr. Gantz reneged last month on repeated campaign promises not to sit in a government under Mr. Netanyahu, who faces trial on corruption charges. Mr. Gantz agreed in principle to enter a unity government in which Mr. Netanyahu would remain prime minister for the first 18 months and Mr. Gantz would take over for the following 18 months. | Citing the good of the country, Mr. Gantz reneged last month on repeated campaign promises not to sit in a government under Mr. Netanyahu, who faces trial on corruption charges. Mr. Gantz agreed in principle to enter a unity government in which Mr. Netanyahu would remain prime minister for the first 18 months and Mr. Gantz would take over for the following 18 months. |
| Mr. Gantz’s party immediately broke up as a result of his political reversal, diminishing his political leverage as many former supporters accused him of betraying their trust. | Mr. Gantz’s party immediately broke up as a result of his political reversal, diminishing his political leverage as many former supporters accused him of betraying their trust. |
| In his speech on Monday, Mr. Gantz defended his about-face, saying he had put the country’s interests ahead of his own and adding, “I’m at peace with myself and I’m at peace with my decision.” | In his speech on Monday, Mr. Gantz defended his about-face, saying he had put the country’s interests ahead of his own and adding, “I’m at peace with myself and I’m at peace with my decision.” |
| “The state of emergency that has been forced upon Israel and the entire world does not allow leaders to close their eyes and ears and remain concerned only with their own egos,” he said. | “The state of emergency that has been forced upon Israel and the entire world does not allow leaders to close their eyes and ears and remain concerned only with their own egos,” he said. |
| But the talks, for what was meant to be a national emergency government to combat the coronavirus crisis, became bogged down in political and legal details. | But the talks, for what was meant to be a national emergency government to combat the coronavirus crisis, became bogged down in political and legal details. |
| Many analysts were left questioning if Mr. Netanyahu, Israel’s longest serving prime minister and a renowned political survivor, really wanted an agreement or if his plan was just to neutralize Mr. Gantz and aim for a fourth election all along. | Many analysts were left questioning if Mr. Netanyahu, Israel’s longest serving prime minister and a renowned political survivor, really wanted an agreement or if his plan was just to neutralize Mr. Gantz and aim for a fourth election all along. |
| Updated June 12, 2020 | |
| 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. | |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. | Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. |
| Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. | Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. |
| 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.) |
| Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. | Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. |
| The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. | The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Even if the task of forming a government passes to Parliament, Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Gantz would still have three weeks to negotiate a power-sharing deal. | Even if the task of forming a government passes to Parliament, Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Gantz would still have three weeks to negotiate a power-sharing deal. |
| Alternatively, with the opposition in pieces, Mr. Netanyahu, who already has the endorsement of 59 lawmakers, could try to persuade a couple of defectors to cross the lines and form a narrow government. | Alternatively, with the opposition in pieces, Mr. Netanyahu, who already has the endorsement of 59 lawmakers, could try to persuade a couple of defectors to cross the lines and form a narrow government. |
| If neither of these things happen, a fourth election would become inevitable. | If neither of these things happen, a fourth election would become inevitable. |
| So far, the unity talks have been rancorous, with Mr. Netanyahu seemingly focused on ensuring he can remain in office despite his legal troubles. Unity talks broke down last week as Mr. Netanyahu tried to change the procedures for appointing Supreme Court judges, according to Blue and White officials. | So far, the unity talks have been rancorous, with Mr. Netanyahu seemingly focused on ensuring he can remain in office despite his legal troubles. Unity talks broke down last week as Mr. Netanyahu tried to change the procedures for appointing Supreme Court judges, according to Blue and White officials. |
| After talks resumed again a few days later, Mr. Netanyahu, analysts said, was mostly concerned with finding a way to override any future Supreme Court decision barring a candidate charged with crimes — like himself — from forming a government. | After talks resumed again a few days later, Mr. Netanyahu, analysts said, was mostly concerned with finding a way to override any future Supreme Court decision barring a candidate charged with crimes — like himself — from forming a government. |
| Mr. Gantz, for his part, has been trying to salvage his reputation by refusing to give way on Likud demands that he considers harmful to democracy and the rule of law. | Mr. Gantz, for his part, has been trying to salvage his reputation by refusing to give way on Likud demands that he considers harmful to democracy and the rule of law. |
| But even if a unity government is formed, political analysts were skeptical that Mr. Gantz would get a turn as prime minister after Mr. Netanyahu, or that the government would even last that long. | But even if a unity government is formed, political analysts were skeptical that Mr. Gantz would get a turn as prime minister after Mr. Netanyahu, or that the government would even last that long. |
| “This isn’t an emergency government, nor does it have anything to do with the coronavirus,” Sima Kadmon, a political columnist, wrote in the newspaper Yediot Ahronot on Monday. “Netanyahu managed to do to Gantz what he does to everyone: first skin him, then barbecue him.” | “This isn’t an emergency government, nor does it have anything to do with the coronavirus,” Sima Kadmon, a political columnist, wrote in the newspaper Yediot Ahronot on Monday. “Netanyahu managed to do to Gantz what he does to everyone: first skin him, then barbecue him.” |