Let’s form unity govt, Netanyahu calls on challenger Gantz – TheNigerialawyer

* President Reuven Rivlin, who is tasked with approving a
cabinet, welcomed the call for a broad coalition of main
rivals.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for a broad
coalition with his main rival after failing to win a parliamentary
majority.

President Reuven Rivlin, who is tasked with approving a new
government, welcomed Netanyahu’s overture.

“I congratulate you, Mr Prime Minister, on your joining in this
call. This is an important call,” Rivlin said in a speech attended
by Netanyahu and his key challenger Benny Gantz.

Earlier on Thursday, Netanyahu called on Gantz to join him in a
broad, unity coalition after he said that there was no chance he
could form a right-wing government after Israel’s deadlocked
election.

With more than 97 percent of the vote counted, the centrist Blue
and White party led by Gantz has 33 seats, while Netanyahu’s Likud
party is behind with 31.

In a televised appearance, Netanyahu said he had been calling
for the creation of a right-wing government but the results of the
election proved that will not be possible.

“The people did not fully decide between the two blocs,”
Netanyahu said of his and Gantz’s parties.

“Now I call on you, Benny Gantz, we have to create a wide-based
unity government today. The people expect from us to be
responsible, to cooperate, and that’s why I’m calling on you
Benny,” he added.

“Let’s meet today, anytime, to ignite this move.”

There was no immediate response from Gantz or his party
spokesperson. However, his office said he is expected to deliver a
speech at 2pm (11:00 GMT) on Thursday.

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, who denies any wrongdoing.

‘Political suicide’
Akiva Eldar, a columnist for Al-Monitor, said the surprise
announcement was another “spin” made by Netanyahu.

“The proof is in yesterday’s gathering of the Likud and the
orthodox and the ultra-rights to get from them a clear commitment
that they are together and they’re not going to betray or stab him
in his back,” Eldar told Al Jazeera.

“This is after he made all the members of the previous Likud
faction in the upcoming Knesset to sign the same kind of
commitment,” he said.

“And now, what he’s doing is trying to throw the hot potato – so
to speak – to Gantz’s court and be the first one to blame Gantz for
disagreeing to unity.”

Eldar noted that now, the “red line” is Netanyahu’s immunity. If
he is not prime minister, they may agree on a rotation to swap –
but that will also mean “political suicide” for Netanyahu while he
is not the prime minister.

“This means that Netanyahu can be indicted because a minister
doesn’t have immunity,” Eldar noted. “The name of the game is
saving Netanyahu from jail – anything else will not work.”

According to the electoral commission, 69.4 percent of eligible
voters turned out to vote on Tuesday in Israel’s second general
election this year after a lack of a clear mandate in April
polls.

The Arab Joint List, an alliance of four smaller parties
representing Palestinians with Israeli citizenship, has become the
third-largest bloc with 12 seats.

Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu is expected to win nine
seats.

In remarks made a day earlier, Netanyahu said he would seek the
establishment of a new “Zionist” government that excludes Arab
parties.

During his campaign, Netanyahu pledged to annex illegal
settlements in the occupied West Bank, and last week promised to
“apply Israeli sovereignty to the Jordan Valley and the northern
Dead Sea immediately” if he won the election.

About 4.8 million Palestinians are living under Israeli military
occupation in the West Bank and the besieged Gaza Strip.

Gantz, who made similar pledges in the past, had called for
pursuing peace with the Palestinians, and has remained largely
silent on the US-sponsored so-called Middle East peace plan – the
details of which are expected to be rolled out following the
formation of the Israeli government.

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES