Liberman pressured to join right-wing gov’t
Rivlin: It seems Netanyahu and Gantz want to go crazy, but don’t drag the people with you
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called upon Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman on Wednesday to enter a unity government and prevent a third election in under a year that would be automatically initiated if no candidate obtains a majority to build a coalition by next Wednesday night.
Netanyahu spoke as pressure increased on Liberman to permit the formation of a right-wing government. Deputy mayors in Yisrael Beytenu called for a right-wing government on Wednesday, a day after the party’s MKs did the same.
“Liberman could make a government with us, and that is his decision,” Netanyahu said as he left for Lisbon. “The country requires a unity government and not unnecessary elections, but if we will be stuck with elections we will win them.”
Netanyahu reiterated that he will back the formation of a unity government and blamed the current stalemate on Blue and White, claiming they “have not moved a millimeter or even a nanometer.”
Netanyahu said the lack of progress was due to Blue and White No. 2, Yair Lapid.
“If this doesn’t work, we will prepare for elections and win them, but I’m making every effort so we could still find a possibility of a unity government,” he said. “I’m open for talks with anyone and meeting with anyone to help this bear fruit.”
On a visit to the Ramat Hanegev Regional Council, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz defended Lapid, saying: “Netanyahu does not need to look for people to blame; I make the decisions in Blue and White, after consulting with my colleagues. He needs to look the citizens of Israel in the eyes and tell them what he thinks and wants, instead of deflecting the blame from himself. No prime minister has ever placed himself before the State of Israel as he does.”
Gantz said he would do anything possible to prevent a third election; but if there is
one, “Blue and White is strong, and we will win the race.”
President Reuven Rivlin accused both Netanyahu and Blue and White of going crazy, in his address in Sde Boker at the annual memorial ceremony for Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion.
“It seems to me that you want to go crazy,” Rivlin said. “So, if that is what you want, go crazy! But why drag the people of Israel with you?”
Rivlin said there is still time to fix the situation, reach agreements and “return Israel to the correct path.”
Rivlin’s comments come after Netanyahu and Gantz met on Tuesday night. The meeting ended after only 45 minutes due to disagreements between the two.
The last day to form a government and avoid a third election
is next Wednesday. •