Netanyahu rivals to cooperate on forming new government

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s chief rival said on Monday that he has agreed with a smaller party to work together to form a new government following national elections last week.

The announcement by Benny Gantz, leader of the Blue and White Party, dealt a new setback to Netanyahu as he struggles to hold on to power ahead of his upcoming trial on corruption charges.

In a statement, Gantz said that he had a good meeting with Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the small Yisrael Beitenu party.

“We discussed questions of fundamental principle and determined that we will work together to assemble a government that will pull Israel out of the political deadlock and avert a fourth round of elections,” Gantz said.

In last week’s election, Israel’s third in under a year, Netanyahu’s Likud Party emerged as the largest party. But with his smaller religious and nationalist allies, he secured only 58 seats in parliament, three short of the required 61-seat majority needed to form a new government.

Netanyahu’s opponents, led by Gantz, control a majority of seats. But beyond their shared animosity toward Netanyahu, there are deep divisions between these parties, which include Lieberman’s secular, ultranationalist party and the Arab-led Joint List.

“We’ll continue to discuss the details, formulate our common objectives, and move forward,” Gantz said.

Netanyahu is desperate to remain as prime minister as he prepares to go on trial for corruption on March 17.

Netanyahu’s lawyers have requested a delay in the start of the trial, saying they need more time to review evidence. Prosecutors on Monday said they oppose any delays.

Israel’ s president, Reuven R iv lin, must decide by next week who to choose as the prime minister designate.