Community Magazine November 2019

44 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE do the same. If Gantz cannot reach a majority, any member of Knesset would then be permitted to seek, and acquire, 61 signatures from members of the Knesset in order to form his own government in the 21 days between November 21 st and December 12 th . If that fails, a third election will be called. Netanyahu Seeks Different Options By mid-October Netanyahu brokered an official deal with right-leaning parties whereby they agreed to cooperate as a single bloc. This bloc includes Shas, United Torah Judaism, Habayit Hayehudi, and Hayamin Hehadash. “(They) decided unanimously that we’re going to negotiate together for the establishment of a government under my leadership,” Netanyahu said, according to Haaretz newspaper. The memorandum not only ensured that Netanyahu would have a solid, loyal number, but also potentially eliminated Gantz’s chance at making any inroads to a majority, in the event he’s tasked to next form a coalition. Netanyahu also expressed his willingness to pursue a “national unity government” whereby the top two parties combine efforts. In this case, it would be the center-left Blue and White and center-right Likud parties. “During the elections, I called for the establishment of the right-wing government,” said Netanyahu in a statement. “Unfortunately, election results show that this is not possible. Therefore, there is no choice but to form a broad unity government that is as wide as possible.” “Now I call on you, Benny Gantz, to join us in establishing a broad unity government today. The people expect us, both of us, to show responsibility and work for cooperation.” Unity Government Scenario One scenario of a unity government is a power-sharing agreement. This arrangement was in place in the 1980s when Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Shamir agreed to a rotating premiership, with Shimon Peres serving as the prime minister for two years, followed by Shamir for the following two years. Seizing the chance to speak on that very scenario, Netanyahu addressed Gantz at a memorial service for Peres in September. In his remarks Netanyahu said, “When there was no clear outcome from the Knesset elections, Shimon chose national unity. He and Yitzhak Shamir agreed to cooperate, to navigate Israel’s path to safety.” Netanyahu’s unity overture included certain concessions in favor of Gantz and his partners. One concession involved state/religious matters, which Netanyahu said would remain according to the status quo. The other had to do with finding a compromise concerning the drafting of yeshiva students, whereby MKs would be free to vote according to their conscience, rather than bowing to party line. Likud partners United Torah Judaism and Shas, in this framework, consented to negotiate with Blue and White’s second-in-command, Yair Lapid, despite their past differences. “This is the only government that can be formed now, and it is the government that must be formed now,” Netanyahu said he told Gantz. “All citizens of Israel are looking toward us, and seeing a Middle East that is changing before our very eyes. Those who need to know, see increasing security challenges that are now waiting for us. That is why I call on Gantz to show responsibility, and enter immediate negotiations on the government that Israel so desperately needs.” Unfortunately, Gantz rejected the offers, declining to discuss or meet with Netanyahu on these proposals, reports say. Gantz Walk and Talk Netanyahu expressed his reaction in a tweet: “I was surprised and disappointed that at this time Benny Gantz still refuses to respond to my call to meet.” Gantz, however, appeared to tout unity in his AIPAC Policy ConferencespeechinMarch:“Eventhoughwehavethebestarmy, the best air force in the world, the best fighters in the universe… We must remember that if we want hope, we must have unity,” he said in Washington, DC. “With new world security, we must have unity, and throughout history, the only way we have won is by being united. Unity is our past, and unity must be our future.” Conclusion Still Elusive As this article was going to print, it was announced that Benjamin Netanyahu informed President Rivlin that he would be unable to form a government, and that Rivlin should choose someone else to give it a try. President Rivlin has now given Blue and White head Benny Gantz the opportunity to form a government in Israel. However, the chances of Gantz succeeding in the 28 days he has been allotted are very slim. If yet another election is called, will a solution somehow arise? This remains to be seen. “With new world security, we must have unity, and throughout history, the only way we have won is by being united. Unity is our past, and unity must be our future.” Benny Gantz Source: Israel Central Elections Committee