Israel: Mandate holder Gantz fails to form government, irreconcilable differences among leading alliances

(Patria) – Israeli government mandate holder Benny Gantz has informed the President of Israel that he failed to form a government within the given deadline.

Gantz, a former high-ranking officer of the Israeli army who entered politics after retiring, formed the Blue and White party and achieved lightning success that also secured him an election victory, but ultimately failed to complete the task due to deep divisions among political parties in Israel.

His predecessor, Benjamin Netanyahu, who is still in the prime minister's seat despite a trial for corruption and breach of trust, also failed in the same endeavor after the April elections.

The efforts of Israeli President Reuven Rivlin to persuade the two leaders to overcome their differences and form a national unity government and – equally share political power – also failed.

After returning the mandate on Wednesday, Gantz stated at a press conference that he had 'turned over every stone in the last 28 days to form a government that would bring Israel leadership with dignity, morality, and values, leadership that has been forgotten,' Gantz emphasized, adding, alluding to the prime minister and his Likud party, that the right-wing bloc 'insisted only on what is in the best interest of one person, rather than patients lying in hospital corridors.'

While Gantz accuses the prime minister of a 'dangerous move' to prevent the winning party from forming a government, Netanyahu blames Gantz for the willingness to form a minority government 'with those who support terror and take instructions from Israel's enemies,' alluding to members of parliament from the Joint List, Israeli Arabs, whom Netanyahu claims are trying to 'destroy the state.'

Given that he lost the elections and does not have majority support, Netanyahu is now advocating for the idea of a national unity government, citing its greatest benefit in the context of 'security challenges like Iran.'

However, Gantz does not accept the proposal because he does not want to overlook Netanyahu's alliance with ultra-Orthodox parties that give him a majority and without which (Netanyahu) refuses to enter the government.

Another obstacle to the alliance of the two largest parties with almost equal votes is Gantz's refusal to enter into power with Netanyahu due to corruption charges.

Otherwise, the Israeli Attorney General will soon announce whether he intends to file charges against Prime Minister Netanyahu for corruption, embezzlement, and breach of trust. Netanyahu consistently denies the accusations, but at the same time strives with all his might to remain in the position of prime minister in order to secure immunity for himself that would protect him from the hand of justice.

The leader of the secular national party Yisrael Beitenu, Avigdor Lieberman, who could have secured victory for Netanyahu's right-wing coalition with one move, as well as Gantz's alliance (with the necessary support of the Arab Joint List), did not do so; instead, he criticized both leaders for the political stalemate. 

The Israeli parliament (Knesset) now has a 21-day deadline to nominate a candidate with majority support. If it fails to do so, third elections will be difficult to avoid.