Two political rivals in Israel are seeking to extend the deadline to form a unity government. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz have until midnight to come up with a power-sharing deal or they will face elections for the fourth time since April 2019, the New York Times reports.
After the midnight deadline passed on Monday night, President Rueven Rivlin granted an extension after he was told the two sides were nearing an agreement. However, friction over the details of a power-sharing deal has left the deal in peril with a new Wednesday deadline looming.
If they cannot reach a deal in time, many expect Rivlin to refer the task to Parliament, which would set the stage for new elections. If Rivlin assigns Parliament with the task of forming a government, they would have a three-week deadline. During this time, they would have to find a prime minister who would be approved by a simple majority of the 120 members.
Netanyahu and Gantz both say they are ready to compromise in the name of unity, especially in light of the coronavirus pandemic, but still face several sticking points in coming to an agreement. In a speech Monday night, Netanyahu said, “We will keep making every effort to achieve the unity that the country so needs these days.” He also appealed to Gantz in a recent tweet. He said, “Benn, I’m waiting for you in the prime minister’s…
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