Gantz Declares Win, Rejects Netanyahu’s Call for Negotiations
Benny Gantz vows to lead a broad coalition from across Israel’s political spectrum
By Felicia Schwartz and
Dov Lieber
Updated Sept. 19, 2019 9:20 am ET
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 93% 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.
more
https://www.wsj.com/articles/netanyahu-calls-for-unity-government-after-election-deadlock-11568881009?mod=e2fb&fbclid=IwAR3gncRZxb7HF3BzRZybAZVT9Ip0pDN8zkWuuyQCy1bkIf7qTrF0yaQ6kdc&fbclid=IwAR1g60WhP0fznT7vHaapUcx3rxfu1ESQwH_plwbkh9Bro8QpaHKEQ32UVjM
