FRESH AIR

Gantz given two-day extension to attempt to form government

Apr 14, 2020 | Ahron Shapiro

Rivgantz

 

As Israel heads into the second part of the Jewish holiday of Passover later today, last night, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, acting on a joint request by Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz and Likud leader and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, give a two-day extension of Gantz’s mandate to form a government, until Wednesday night. This is much shorter than the two weeks he requested and likely indicates Rivlin wants to push the process of coalition negotiations to a swift conclusion.

For some time now, Gantz and Netanyahu have been reportedly close to an agreement on a rotational national unity government that would have Netanyahu serve as prime minister for the first 18 months, to be followed by Gantz for the remainder of the government’s term.

Among the last issues reportedly holding up the agreement, however, is the composition of the Knesset committee that deals with judicial appointments.

Should Gantz’ mandate to form a government expire, President Rivlin would have the option of giving the mandate to Netanyahu, though Netanyahu lacks the recommendations of a majority of the 120-member Knesset. Rivlin also has the option of sending the mandate back to the Knesset, an option which he is believed to prefer based on past statements.

If the mandate goes to the Knesset, there are 21 for a majority of MKs to support one candidate as prime minister, or Israel goes to its fourth straight election. If the Knesset finds such a candidate, he’ll have 14 days to form a government, if he fails, again, Israel will have to go to another election, probably in September.

RELATED ARTICLES


Mahmoud Abbas gives his Nakba Day speech at the UN (Image: UN Photo/Screenshot)

The UN Must Not Repeat Its ‘Nakba Day’ Farce

May 31, 2023 | Featured, Fresh AIR, In the media
Protestor in Indonesia calling to ban Israel's team from the FIFA U-20 World Cup that Indonesia was meant to host (screenshot)

Sporting Boycotts require strong action by roof bodies

May 31, 2023 | Featured, Fresh AIR
Palestinian Islamic Jihad (image: Shutterstock/Anas-Mohammed)

Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the shell game in Gaza

May 12, 2023 | Featured, Fresh AIR
Anti-Houthi demonstrations in Taiz, Yemen, 2014

Yemen’s Future: Partition, Hezbollisation or Talibanisation?

May 5, 2023 | Featured, Fresh AIR
Cyber

No increased Iranian cyberthreat to Israel

May 3, 2023 | Featured, Fresh AIR
China Iran

China won’t and can’t help Israel with Iran

Apr 28, 2023 | Featured, Fresh AIR

SIGN UP FOR AIJAC EMAILS

RECENT POSTS

Mahmoud Abbas gives his Nakba Day speech at the UN (Image: UN Photo/Screenshot)

The UN Must Not Repeat Its ‘Nakba Day’ Farce

Protestor in Indonesia calling to ban Israel's team from the FIFA U-20 World Cup that Indonesia was meant to host (screenshot)

Sporting Boycotts require strong action by roof bodies

Senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders attend a meeting with Iran’s Supreme Leader in Tehran, Iran (Image via Iran’s Supreme Leader’s website)

Essay: A New Multifront Strategy?

Erdogan vs. Kilicdaroglu: The former looks all but guaranteed to win a second round on May 29 (Image: Tolga Ildun/ Shutterstock)

What does Turkey’s election mean for Israel?

Netanyahu (right), with Defence Minister Gallant (top left), IDF Chief of Staff Halevi (bottom left) and other security officials (Image: GPO/ Flickr)

Israeli politics after “Shield and Arrow”

Mahmoud Abbas gives his Nakba Day speech at the UN (Image: UN Photo/Screenshot)

The UN Must Not Repeat Its ‘Nakba Day’ Farce

Protestor in Indonesia calling to ban Israel's team from the FIFA U-20 World Cup that Indonesia was meant to host (screenshot)

Sporting Boycotts require strong action by roof bodies

Senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders attend a meeting with Iran’s Supreme Leader in Tehran, Iran (Image via Iran’s Supreme Leader’s website)

Essay: A New Multifront Strategy?

Erdogan vs. Kilicdaroglu: The former looks all but guaranteed to win a second round on May 29 (Image: Tolga Ildun/ Shutterstock)

What does Turkey’s election mean for Israel?

Netanyahu (right), with Defence Minister Gallant (top left), IDF Chief of Staff Halevi (bottom left) and other security officials (Image: GPO/ Flickr)

Israeli politics after “Shield and Arrow”

SORT BY TOPICS