The prime minister and his opponent have met to discuss sharing power after a clear winner failed to emerge in last week’s election.
ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu and his opponent Benny Gantz agreed on Monday to hold meetings to discuss possibly sharing power after a clear winner did not emerge in last week’s election.
The two men met for more than two hours at the office of President Reuven Rivlin and issued a joint statement that they had “discussed ways to advance Israel’s unity,” The New York Times reported.
Rivlin called the meeting “a significant step forward” and invited Netanyahu and Gantz to meet at his residence again Wednesday.
“The people expect you to find a solution and to prevent further elections, even if it comes at a personal and even ideological cost,” Rivlin said. “A shared and equal government is possible. It can and it must express the different voices in society.”
While the president’s role is mostly only in title, the contested election last week means it is up to him to decide who will fulfill the role of prime minister first. The meetings between Netanyahu and Gantz signal that the president may be able to avoid casting the final vote. However, Gantz said he has “no intention of relinquishing our lead,” suggesting he will argue to serve first.
Rivlin, the Times reported, said that based on the results of the election, in which Netanhayu and Gantz’s parties won the most votes, the people of Israel want a government of unity that includes both major parties – the prime minister’s conservative Likud Party and Gantz’s centrist Blue and White Party.
While both party leaders favor unity, Gantz has said he will not consider joining forces while Netanyahu is facing possible indictment in three corruption cases. The prime minister could be charged in the cases within weeks.