Netanyahu cornered as Gantz begins search for majority
BENNY GANTZ, the leader of Israel’s centrist party, insisted yesterday that he would “not be dictated to” by Benjamin Netanyahu in post-election negotiations, and repeated his demand that the prime minister resign to make way for a new unity government.
Mr Netanyahu’s position is looking increasingly perilous after Mr Gantz’s Blue and White party emerged with the most seats and may be given the first chance at forming a government.
“Blue and White, headed by me, has won the election. Blue and White is the largest party,” Mr Gantz said in his first comments since election night. “The process of building a government has begun. We will not be dictated to.”
While neither side has a clear path to a majority, Mr Gantz came out of election night with a stronger hand. His party appears to have won 33 seats compared with the 31 won by Mr Netanyahu’s Likud.
Parties opposed to Mr Netanyahu also won 57 seats, just shy of a 61 seat majority, while Right-wing parties supporting the prime minister won 55.
The balance of power is held by Avigdor Lieberman, a secular nationalist, who emerged as Israel’s political kingmaker after his Yisrael Beiteinu party won eight seats.
Mr Lieberman is expected to lend his support to Mr Gantz, Israeli media say, but has yet to say so officially.
Reuven Rivlin, Israel’s president, will make a decision next week on which leader should be tasked with forming a government.
A cornered Mr Netanyahu has attempted to fight back since Tuesday’s election, in attempts to cling to power. He formed a pact with other Rightwing parties, pledging that they would only enter into coalition together or not at all. Mr Netanyahu called on Mr Gantz to join his coalition in a unity government, saying: “The nation expects us, both of us, to accept responsibility and work together”.
Mr Gantz dismissed the prime minister’s offer as “spin”.
If Mr Gantz is unable forge a unity pact with the Likud then he will face daunting task of trying to form a majority. He would have a maximum of 42 days. If he fails, then Mr Netanyahu could be given another chance.
Israel could be plunged into an unprecedented third election in a year if neither side reaches a 61-seat majority.