Netanyahu’s chief rival reverses, signals he’ll cut unity deal
Benny Gantz said he would serve in an emergency government led by rival Benjamin Netanyahu to help prevent a coronavirus crisis in Israel.
In a stunning turn of events, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's main rival, Benny Gantz, has signaled he would serve in an emergency Netanyahu-led government as the country battles the coronavirus.
On Thursday, Gantz was voted speaker of Israel's parliament, the Knesset, with the backing of Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party and partial support from his own centrist Blue and White party. After the shocking resignation of ex-speaker Yuli Edelstein earlier this week, the former army chief put himself forward for the position, seemingly ending his hard-fought campaign for prime minister.
"To exhaust the possibility of forming a national emergency government, I decided to put my candidacy forward for the position of speaker of the Knesset," Gantz told the Knesset after his election. "These are unusual times and they call for unusual decisions.”
“This is the time for responsible, committed, patriotic leadership. Let’s join hands and get Israel out of this crisis,” he added.
