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Netanyahu urges rival Gantz to form unity government with him
[DAWN] 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.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. 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. "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," Netanyahu said. "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. All right-wing, religious parties finish signing pledge of allegiance to Netanyahu in effort to foil secular unity government [IsraelTimes] The leaders of all the parties in the right-wing religious bloc have signed a document pledging to recommend Benjamin Netanyahu as the next prime minister and vowing to enter a coalition only as a single unit, as the premier called on Blue and White chief Benny Gantz to join a “unity government” that includes those parties. Gantz during the election spoke of his interest in forming a “secular unity government” ostensibly void of the Haredi parties Shas and United Torah Judaism as well as the more hardline members of the Yamina party. Related: Benjamin Netanyahu: 2019-09-17 Russia could protect Lebanon with S-400 system after Israeli attack Benjamin Netanyahu: 2019-09-17 Rep. Ilhan Omar on Netanyahu: ‘His Existence... Is Contradictory to the Peace’ Benjamin Netanyahu: 2019-09-16 OIC foreign ministers reject Netanyahu annexation pledge Related: Benny Gantz: 2019-09-17 Dutch court to hold war crimes hearing against Benny Gantz on election day Benny Gantz: 2019-09-15 Election Committee rejects Netanyahu's request for emergency meeting Benny Gantz: 2019-05-07 Netanyahu under fire as rivals brand Gaza truce deal a capitulation, but how long will it last? Posted by: Fred 2019-09-20 |
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