Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz form unity government

Jerusalem: Benjamin Netanyahu will remain Israel’s Prime Minister after he agreed to form a national unity government with his main political rival, Benny Gantz, a deal which brings a year-long political crisis to an end.

In a joint statement on Monday night, the ruling center-right Likud Party and the liberal Blue and White Party said: “An agreement for the establishment of a national emergency government is now being signed,” Efe news reported.

The deal comes after three back-to-back elections had failed to yield a clear winner between incumbent Netanyahu, in power since 2009, and former army chief Gantz.

Although the statement did not provide further details, the rivals have reportedly agreed to share the role of prime minister on a rotating basis, with Netanyahu occupying the post for the first 18 months before handing over power to Gantz, who will initially become Minister of Defence.

In a statement on Twitter, Gantz said they had “prevented” a fourth round of elections. “We will maintain democracy, we will fight against the coronavirus and will protect the citizens of Israel. There is a national emergency government,” Gantz wrote.

Netanyahu, meanwhile, promised “to work to save the lives and livelihoods of Israeli citizens”.

The result of the negotiations is a remarkable turnaround for Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, who has three serious corruption charges pending against him. Three rounds of elections had already been held with similar results after each poll, but the coronavirus crisis added an extra layer of urgency to the process this time around. (IANS)

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