Israel's Netanyahu, Gantz fail to reach unity deal, deadlock persists
16 April, 2020
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main rival Benny Gantz didn't strike a unity government deal in last-ditch talks late on Wednesday.
Even the medical and economic crises due to the coronavirus outbreak have up to now didn't end an unprecedented political deadlock that has pushed Israel into three inconclusive elections within the last year, as well as perhaps now a fourth.
Gantz and Netanyahu have been negotiating a power-sharing deal that would have kept the right-wing premier in office for another 18 months, Israeli media reported.
Beneath the arrangement, centrist former general Gantz would have taken over from then on.
It was Gantz, a member of family newcomer to politics, who was given the first chance to construct a government following the latest election, in March.
President Reuven Rivlin, who is overseeing the talks, said on Monday that progress justified his decision to grant Gantz a two-day extension to hash out a cope with Netanyahu.
But Gantz's mandate expired at nighttime on Wednesday after a last-minute attempt by both leaders' envoys to clinch a deal. Failure complicates plans for monetary recovery once the coronavirus outbreak is brought in order, and the country's stringent lockdown is eased.
Without a deal, it will be up to parliament to pick a candidate who then have 2 weeks to create a government. Failure to take action would automatically trigger a snap election.
Gantz had previously said he'd not serve in a government led by Netanyahu, who is facing indictment on corruption charges but denies any wrongdoing. The trial is because of begin next month.
But the enormity of the coronavirus crisis prompted Gantz to break his campaign promise also to look at a deal, a move that angered many of his anti-Netanyahu supporters.
The outcome appeared to weaken Gantz while strengthening Netanyahu, whose caretaker government is overseeing the country's response to the coronavirus crisis.
A Monday poll from Israel's Channel 12 news said that if an election were held now, Netanyahu's Likud party would see a four-seat boost to 40 in the 120-member Knesset, while Gantz's weakened Blue and White party would win only 19.
The poll also discovered that some 64% of citizens were content with Netanyahu's handling of the pandemic.
Israel has reported over 12,500 COVID-19 cases and at least 130 deaths. Restrictions have confined most Israelis to their homes, forcing businesses to close and sending unemployment to more than 25%.
Source: www.thejakartapost.com