Neither Netanyahu nor Gantz Is Backing Down. There’s a 99% Certainty Israel Is Going to Election
The most frustrating week for the heads of Kahol Lavan – the four in the comfort of the so-called cockpit, and also the rest, stuck in the passenger section – followed the attorney general’s decision to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in three corruption cases. They’d expected drama, inflamed passions, an earthquake. But instead of […]
No agreement reached during Netanyahu, Gantz talks as third election looms
No agreement was reached Tuesday night between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White Party leader Benny Gantz, who finished coalition talks at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tel Aviv after only 45 minutes, and eight days before next Wednesday night’s deadline to form a government. The Likud complained after the meeting, which Netanyahu […]
Netanyahu, Gantz spar over possible defense pact with US
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White head Benny Gantz sparred over the wisdom of a security pact with the United States, something that Netanyahu said was among the things Israel used to “dream about.” Speaking at a cornerstone-laying ceremony for 12 new factories in Ashkelon, Netanyahu said that this was among the topics […]
Trump, Netanyahu discuss Iranian threat
US President Donald Trump spoke on Sunday with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, White House spokesperson Judd Deere said. “The leaders discussed the threat from Iran, as well as other critical bilateral and regional issues,” he tweeted. Today, @POTUS @realDonaldTrump spoke with @IsraeliPM @netanyahu of Israel. The leaders discussed the threat from Iran, as well as […]
With Nine Days Left to Form a Government, Can Israelis Be Spared a Third Election?
Just nine days remain until the period ends in which the Knesset can present a candidate to form a government. If that effort is unsuccessful, the Knesset will dissolve and a third round of elections will be inevitable. If, on the other hand, a Knesset member is successful in collecting the required 61 signatures, the […]
Benny Gantz, Netanyahu readying compromises on unity
Blue and White leader Benny Gantz is prepared to join Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in making compromises ahead of the December 11 deadline to form a government and prevent a third election in under a year, sources close to Gantz said on Sunday. Netanyahu already compromised by dropping his insistence on serving as prime minister […]
Rabbis propose PM retire in exchange for pardon
A number of religious Zionist rabbis sent a letter to President Reuben Rivlin on Tuesday following what they define as “an unprecedented and dangerous political and legal crisis.” In a letter, the contents of which were published Tuesday by Channel 13 News, the rabbis wrote to the president, “This crisis threatens the ability of the […]
Iran planning attacks on Israel: Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday accused Iran of planning attacks against the Jewish state and said everything possible would be done to prevent them. The premier, who was indicted on corruption charges on Thursday and is seen to be battling for his political life, made his remarks on a visit to an army […]
High Court to NGO: Don’t jump the gun on firing Netanyahu
The High Court of Justice told an NGO Sunday evening that it had jumped the gun in asking the court to fire Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following Thursday’s decision by Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit to indict him for corruption. The ruling by justices Yosef Elron, Menachem Mazuz and George Kara does not mean that Netanyahu is […]
Barkat proposes primary for Likud deputy to replace Netanyahu if he’s forced out
Amid growing tension within the ruling party over calls to hold an immediate internal leadership election, Likud MK Nir Barkat presented on Sunday a plan to instead hold primaries for a new position of deputy head of the party who would replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he is forced to take a leave of […]