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Netanyahu and Gantz agree to form unity Israeli government Netanyahu and Gantz agree to form unity Israeli government
(about 1 hour later)
Prime minister and opposition leader reach deal to end political crisis Prime minister and his main rival reach deal to end year-long political crisis
Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and the opposition leader, Benny Gantz, have agreed to form a national unity government, their parties said in a statement, in a deal intended to end a year-long political crisis. Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his main rival, Benny Gantz, have agreed to form a national unity government, in a deal to end a year-long political crisis that has seen the country hold three back-to-back elections.
“An agreement for the establishment of a national emergency government is now being signed,” the joint statement said. “An agreement for the establishment of a national emergency government is now being signed,” their parties said in a joint statement.
Netanyahu and Gantz, a former army chief, have been negotiating on a rotation deal under which they each serve as prime minister for two years of a four-year term. The statement did not provide details of any agreement. Netanyahu and Gantz, a former army chief, have been negotiating on a deal under which they each serve as prime minister on a rotating basis.
The deal was a significant turnaround for Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving leader, who appeared to be flagging in recent weeks under the strain of three corruption indictments and mediocre election performance. Monday’s statement did not provide details of any agreement. However, Israeli media reported that Netanyahu, currently the interim leader, would remain in the role for 18 months before handing over to Gantz, who would also serve 18 months.
Many had expected the stalemate to continue, following three back-to-back elections that produced similar results and with little progress made between the two rivals during months of talks. Minutes after the agreement was announced, Netanyahu tweeted a photo of the Israeli flag. Gantz said on Twitter that he had prevented a fourth round of elections, the likely outcome if no deal was reached.
Outbreaks of the coronavirus, which has put the country under lockdown, has added urgency to break the deadlock. The deal was a significant turnaround for Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving leader, who appeared to be flagging in recent weeks under the strain of three damning corruption indictments and mediocre election performance.
More details soon … Many had expected the stalemate to hold following three inconclusive elections that produced similar results and with little progress made between the two rivals during months of talks. Without a fully functioning government, Israel has been unable to pass a budget.
Both politicians have been unable to form majority coalitions on their own. Gantz was the latest to be tasked with forming a government after gathering a loose coalition of anti-Netanyahu Knesset members to back his candidacy, but he failed to clinch a majority last week.
Outbreaks of the coronavirus, which has put the country under lockdown, have added urgency to the need to break the deadlock.
Last month, it was Gantz who appeared to back down on his longstanding demand that Netanyahu must leave power.
The opposition leader went against his own party, Blue and White, and nominated himself as speaker of Israel’s parliament.
Blue and White had planned to elect a different speaker, and push through legislation to end Netanyahu’s historic political career through term limits and bans on prime ministers serving while under indictment.
But Gantz nominated himself with the support of Netanyahu and his allies, with the apparent aim of protecting the prime minister from such legislation to keep the possibility of a unity government alive.
In uproar, Blue and White swiftly disintegrated, amid allegations Gantz had broke his one main promise since he began his short career in politics less than two years ago: to oust Netanyahu.
Gantz said at the time that he was “at peace” with his decision.
“This is the time for leaders to choose what is right and put the lingering issues and personal scores aside,” he said, adding he would not “drag Israel to elections at this time of emergency – which will be with us for a long time, and whose repercussions are going to be long-term.”