Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Thursday on his main rival, former general Benny Gantz, to join him in a broad, governing coalition after Israel’s election ended with no clear winner, Reuters reports.
A spokeswoman for Gantz, leader of the centrist Blue and White party, had no immediate response to the surprise offer from Netanyahu, head of the right-wing Likud party.
Israel election results: Gantz widens lead over Netanyahu as 97% of vote counted https://t.co/bh9qrpQ6mI
— Haaretz.com (@haaretzcom) September 19, 2019
The change of strategy reflected Netanyahu’s weakened position after he failed again in Tuesday’s election, which followed an inconclusive ballot in April, to secure a parliamentary majority.
Netanyahu said:
“During the election campaign, I called for the establishment of a right-wing government but to my regret, the election results show that this is impossible.”
With 91% of votes counted, Netanyahu-led bloc fails to secure majorityhttps://t.co/rKJ2enbn2J
— Haaretz.com (@haaretzcom) September 19, 2019
He added:
“Benny, we must set up a broad unity government, as soon as today. The nation expects us, both of us, to demonstrate responsibility and that we pursue cooperation.”
On Wednesday, Gantz said he hoped for a “good, desirable unity government”. But he has also ruled out forming one with a Netanyahu-led Likud, citing looming corruption charges against the prime minister. Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing.
(Middle East Monitor, PC, Social Media)
