Blue and White: Timing of plan announcement not coincidental,
The timing of US President Donald Trump’s announcement of his Middle East peace plan on the day the Knesset plenum is set to vote to create a House Committee that will reject Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s request for immunity is not coincidental, a source in the Blue and White party said Thursday night.
Netanyahu tried unsuccessfully to prevent the Knesset from convening on immunity after it became apparent he lacked a majority on the issue. The vote in the Knesset should be postponed because Netanyahu will go to Washington for the unveiling of the peace plan, Likud officials said Thursday.
“The goal is obviously to cancel the plenum or remove the spotlight from the plenum,” a Blue and White source said.
Sources in Blue and White said that was not an option. Once the vote has been set, not even Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein could cancel it, they said.
“We are moving forward normally,” a Blue and White source said. “These are two separate processes that we will respect.”
Because Blue and White leader Benny Gantz is also going to be in Washington, he could pair off with Netanyahu for the vote, the source said.
Asked if it is proper to take a step against the prime minister when he is on a diplomatic mission abroad, the source said: “We are not doing an act against the prime minister. It would be nice if the prime minister came, but he is not needed.”
Likud faction chairman issued an emotional plea on Twitter against holding the Knesset vote on immunity. He said the plea was directed to “everyone who loves the State of Israel and is concerned about its future.
“Try to set aside the persecution and hatred and focus on what is good in our country,” Zohar wrote. “I know it is not simply for some of you, but we ultimately share a future and therefore all of us must bear responsibility. This is the time to cooperate for the good of our future and the future of our children and grandchildren.”