Israel News for 11-18-2019
News Update
With only three days left for Blue and White leader Benny Gantz to form a government before he must return his mandate to the president, President Rivlin scolded both Gantz and PM Netanyahu saying, “I believe a government could still be formed. The disagreements are more personal, rather than logical, political or for the interest of the state. Israel’s leaders need to understand that the citizens are the main priority”.
The Blue and White negotiation team met earlier Sunday with their counterparts from Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteynu and reportedly had reached an agreement on outlines for a possible government. Senior officials close to Gantz claim that he is determined to form a government in which he is prime minister, even if it means relying on the support of the Arab parties, at least for the short term. They claim that Lieberman is willing to sit in such a government.
But wait. Netanyahu and Lieberman met yesterday in a meeting that was apparently considered to be a success, which could mean that Lieberman could be brought back into a right wing government led by Netanyahu. At the same time, leaders of the ultra-orthodox (haredim) parties said that they see a possibility of reaching a compromise with Lieberman on religious issues related to public policy that do not contradict Jewish law. If Lieberman and the haredim reach a compromise, that would allow PM Netanyahu to form a narrow right wing government.
The next few days will be interesting.
Meanwhile, White House sources say that President Trump is also frustrated and “very disappointed” with Netanyahu and Israel politics in general, which he feels is preventing him from releasing his long awaited peace plan.
Two rockets were fired from Gaza at Be’er Sheva on Saturday. The IDF responded with air strikes against Hamas outposts. Both rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome.
