JERUSALEM: Israeli challenger Benny Gantz met Sunday with incumbent prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks to try and put together a coalition government in the wake of two inconclusive general elections.
It was their first round of direct talks since president Reuven Rivlin on Wednesday tasked ex-military chief Gantz with trying to form a government.
Following the deadlocked elections on September 17, Netanyahu had tried to form a coalition, but finally gave up on October 21 — his second such failure this year.
A joint statement from Netanyahu’s Likud and Gantz’s Blue and White alliance after Sunday’s meeting however did not herald any breakthrough.
“The two discussed the structure of political options available,” the English-language statement said.
“Another meeting is anticipated between the two.”
Earlier Sunday the side’s negotiating teams met in what Blue and White called “good spirits.”
The joint statement released later said they “would continue to communicate.”
Both Likud and Blue and White say they want a unity government, but disagree on how to achieve it.
Likud has been seeking to negotiate based on a compromise set out by Rivlin that takes into account the possibility the premier will be indicted for corruption in the coming weeks.
It could see him remain prime minister for now, but step aside at some point later as he combats the charges.
Gantz would take over as acting premier under such a scenario.
Blue and White says Gantz should be prime minister first under any rotation arrangement since his party won the most seats, finishing with 33 compared to Likud’s 32.
Whoever wants to govern needs to find partners with which to control a majority of at least 61 seats in the 120-member Israeli parliament.
Gantz meets Netanyahu for Israeli coalition talks
Gantz meets Netanyahu for Israeli coalition talks
- A joint statement from Netanyahu’s Likud and Gantz’s Blue and White alliance after meeting however did not herald any breakthrough
Hamas says will give up arms to a Palestinian authority ‘if occupation ends’
- “We accept the deployment of UN forces as a separation force, tasked with monitoring the borders and ensuring compliance with the ceasefire in Gaza,” Hayya says
GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories: Hamas said Saturday it was ready to hand over its weapons in the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian authority governing the territory on the condition that the Israeli army’s occupation ends.
“Our weapons are linked to the existence of the occupation and the aggression,” Hamas chief negotiator and its Gaza chief Khalil Al-Hayya said in a statement, adding: “If the occupation ends, these weapons will be placed under the authority of the state.” Asked by AFP, Hayya’s bureau said he was referring to a sovereign and independent Palestnian state.
“We accept the deployment of UN forces as a separation force, tasked with monitoring the borders and ensuring compliance with the ceasefire in Gaza,” Hayya added, signalling his group’s rejection of the deployment of an international force in the Strip whose mission would be to disarm it.
