Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns the mandate to form a new government to President Rivlin; Rivlin to now give the mandate to Benny Gantz; Netanyahu: A minority government will be formed with the support of Joint List MKs who encourage terror and oppose Israel’s existence.
On his 70th birthday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned the mandate to form a coalition government back to President Rivlin. The mandate will now go to Benny Gantz, head of the Blue & White party, for him to try and form a coalition government.
Netanyahu gave a final warning to the people of Israel regarding the serious dangers that will accompany the Blue & White party’s liberal leadership, saying, “A minority government will be formed with the support of Joint List MKs who encourage terror and oppose Israel’s existence… How can a minority government led by Gantz and supported by these MKs fight terror?” The Blue & White party, in criticism of Netanyahu, stated, “The time for political spin is over, and now is the time for action…Blue and White is determined to create the liberal unity government led by Gantz that the people elected a month ago.”
While the Blue & White Party will now receive the mandate, if no coalition government is formed in the 28 days allotted, there is a 21-day period where any party can try and form a government. If no one should succeed, a historic third election will be the outcome.
