Gantz Declares Win, Rejects Netanyahu’s Call for Negotiations Wall Street Journal, Sep 19, 2019
Israel’s former military chief Benny Gantz declared victory Thursday in Israel’s election and rebuffed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ’s calls for power sharing, as the country braced for weeks of political uncertainty at a time of rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Mr. Gantz vowed to lead a broad coalition from across Israel’s political spectrum, known as a unity government, ending several years of right-wing and religious majorities led by Mr. Netanyahu. The prime minister conceded Thursday that he would be unable to form the government he campaigned for, but insisted he would lead a unity government with Mr. Gantz’s Blue and White Party.
Mr. Gantz has yet to receive a mandate to form a government from Israel’s president, but he appeared to have a slight edge in unofficial results with 98% of the vote counted.
Mr. Netanyahu’s failure to gain a majority on his terms marks a humbling blow for a towering figure in Israeli politics who is now facing the possible end of his political career and fight to avoid going to prison. For the first time in a decade, he no longer appeared to be in control of the direction of Israeli politics, and even if he survives, he could emerge a much diminished figure.
He faces a pretrial hearing next month on corruption charges, which he denies, and could be forced to resign if indicted while not prime minister.
Mr. Netanyahu hinted Thursday that he would be willing to rotate as prime minister with Mr. Gantz, a situation that could allow him to retain the premiership and the potential protection it offers through any corruption hearings, if Mr. Gantz would agree to let him go first, which seems unlikely.
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https://www.wsj.com/articles/netanyahu-calls-for-unity-government-after-election-deadlock-11568881009
