Gantz And Netanyahu Discussing Unity Government

Gantz and Netanyahu may be closing in on deal for unity government: report

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and rival Benny Gantz may be closing in on a coalition deal that would allow the formation of a government and prevent Israel from heading to its third election in under a year, Channel 12 reported on Monday.

Citing sources with knowledge of the negotiations between Likud and Gantz’s Blue and White party, the network said the two parties are now discussing the possibility, proposed by Likud, of a prime ministerial rotation in which Netanyahu will remain in office for a year before stepping aside in favor of Gantz.

Should Netanyahu go on trial for criminal charges during that first year, he will begin a leave of absence, according to the proposal. Gantz will then be prime minister, the report said. A power-sharing agreement was first floated by President Reuven Rivlin.

However, there are still reportedly two issues preventing a unity government. The first is the lack of a law that would require Netanyahu to step down with the opening of his trial, and the second is the issue of the legal immunity that the prime minister has sought as he battles the corruption allegations in three cases.

Shas leader Aryeh Deri on Monday night said he would ensure that Netanyahu would take the leave of absence if indicted. An announcement on criminal charges against Netanyahu is expected by the end of the year.

In a bid to encourage Gantz to form a unity government, the Shas party chief pledged to quit the government if Netanyahu does not take leave as promised, though it remained unclear whether Shas would be included in such a coalition. United Torah Judaism’s Yaakov Litzman offered a similar pledge.

Other reports on Monday signaled the talks remained deadlocked.

According to Israeli public broadcaster Kan, Gantz is actively considering forming a minority government with the support of the predominantly Arab Joint List. The broadcaster cited an unnamed source close to Gantz who stated that “Benny is beginning to realize that if the mandate [to form a government] ends, he may pay a price. If there is no choice, we will go to a minority government to take power.”