benny gantz, netanyahu

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz (left) and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sign their unity government agreement on April 20, 2020. Election campaign billboards showing Benny Gantz, left, and Benjamin Netanyahu, right, are shown on Feb. 20. May. But it could still be several weeks before a new government is sworn-in. Before Thursday’s about-face, Gantz had pushed for the legislature to continue functioning and led an effort in parliament to approve legislation that would prevent Netanyahu from continuing as prime minister. Gantz’s main claim against Netanyahu was that he is facing three counts of mistrust and corruption, which could land him in jail if he’s proven guilty, and therefore that he cannot fulfill his role as prime minister and fight these charges at the same time. “Democracy has won,” Gantz declared in his first speech as speaker, saying he had taken the unpopular step to deal with the national emergency of a worsening coronavirus crisis. The Blue & White party (Kahol Lavan) is led by Benny Gantz, ... with Netanyahu’s party trailing Gantz in an upset that would deny the longtime leader of Israel a majority. The right wing bloc favors Netanyahu and is currently larger, meaning the even if Gantz’s party wins more seats than Netanyahu’s Likud, Netanyahu may still end up prime minister. As slim as this chance is, Gantz is not about to let it … Market data provided by Factset. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Yes, such a crazy event — which could only happen in Israel — is a definite possibility on the 2021 calendar. Who is Benny Gantz, and how did he become such a force in Israeli politics? Benjamin Gantz (Hebrew: בִּנְיָמִין "בֵּנִי" גַּנְץ‎; born 9 June 1959) is an Israeli soldier and politician serving as Alternate Prime Minister of Israel and Minister of Defense since 2020. Netanyahu has been indicted on charges of bribery and breach of trust; he insists he is innocent, calling the charges an attempted coup. The agreement sets a date of July 1 from which the process to annex parts of the West Bank, as envisioned in the Trump administration's peace plan, can begin. “There are no other ways to describe the runaround going on here.”. Netanyahu’s dismissed the reports as “rumors,” though its members backed Gantz in the parliament vote. "Benny Gantz decided today to break apart Blue and White and crawl into Netanyahu's government. But after an appeal for unity by the country’s figurehead president, Gantz agreed on Thursday to resume unity talks. ©2021 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Benny Gantz and Benjamin Netanyahu await the High Court's decision on their coalition agreement, set for May 4, 2020. Credit: Amos Biderman. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Alternate Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Benny Gantz at the weekly cabinet meeting, at the Ministry of … Market data provided by Factset. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu scored a remarkable win on Monday, when he and his main political opponent, Benny Gantz, agreed to form … In September 2021, Netanyahu would step down and Gantz would become prime minister, the reports said. Ten years Mr Netanyahu's junior, Benny Gantz was born in 1959 in Kfar Ahim, a co-operative farmers' village in central Israel founded by immigrants. Benny Gantz, as opposed to 58 Members of Knesset who had recommended the current prime minister and head of Likud, MK Benjamin Netanyahu,” the statement said. Yossi Verter. or redistributed. The Netanyahu-Gantz government would remain a transitional government and if fifth elections were held after November, Gantz would run as prime minister. His email is Frank.Miles@foxnews.com. Under the terms of the new government agreement, Netanyahu will continue as Prime Minister for a further 18 months, after which he will step aside and Gantz will take over. Netanyahu knows that well.”. Fox News Flash top headlines for March 26, he prepares to go on trial for corruption charges. Blue and White leader Benny Gantz is seen during his election campaign, Ramat Gan, Israel, Feb. 25, 2020. Share. All rights reserved. The new government agreement does not spell out exactly which bits of territory are earmarked for annexation, but instead commits Netanyahu and Gantz to approach the issue "with the full understanding of the US ... and with international dialogue in the matter.". Only a few people were allowed in at a time due to restrictions on public gatherings because of the coronavirus. If Netanyahu resigns before the end of his year and a half, the agreement sees Gantz taking over as leader of a transitional government. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. “These are not regular days and they demand irregular decisions. Although he was given a one-month window to form an alternative government, divisions within that bloc made it all but impossible to establish an alternative government. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may have to share power with his chief rival Benny Gantz, who was chosen on Thursday as the new speaker of parliament. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Therefore as I said, I intend to examine and advance in every way the establishment of a national emergency government,” he said. In a series of speeches ahead of the vote, a string of opposition lawmakers who had all previously backed Gantz streamed into the empty parliament chamber one after another to rail against him. With the country’s coronavirus crisis worsening by the day, Netanyahu has called for an emergency unity government, most recently in a nationally televised speech Wednesday night. Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz is set to partner Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a unity government, serving initially as foreign minister but then taking over from Netanyahu … Blue and White leader Benny Gantz warned on Saturday night that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has plans to cancel his trial for alleged corruption and bribery by … The political fireworks come just as the government enacted new restrictions requiring Israelis to stay at home in almost all circumstances, under the threat of fines. MOBILE VIEW. Responding to the announcement, Palestine Liberation Organization Secretary General Saeb Erakat said in a statement annexation would mean "the end of any possibility for a negotiated solution" between Israelis and Palestinians. "The new Israeli government has two options: open the doors for a meaningful peace process or to further jeopardize any hope for peace," Erakat said. Throughout three bitter election campaigns over the past year, Gantz repeatedly vowed not to join a government led by Netanyahu, citing the prime minister’s upcoming trial on corruption charges. Legal Statement. image caption Benny Gantz and Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to a coalition to tackle the coronavirus crisis. Gantz had campaigned in all three national polls promising that he would not be part of government with an indicted Prime Minister but broke with his Blue and White allies almost a month ago when he announced he was seeking a unity government with Netanyahu. Israeli media reported that Gantz and Netanyahu were working on forming a broad coalition in which Netanyahu would remain prime minister and Gantz’s party would be granted a number of important portfolios, including defense and justice. The campaign aside, Gantz’s biggest obstacle to becoming prime minister however, is finding enough seats in the Knesset to form a government. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his political rival, Benny Gantz… Benny Gantz has rejected Benjamin Netanyahu's call to join him and form a unity government, saying he alone should be Israel's next prime minister. Benny Gantz says. This week, Israeli opposition leader Benny Gantz opted to break with half of his party and move toward joining caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu … Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. The vote passed 74-18, with many of Gantz’s former allies -- including half of Blue and White -- skipping the vote. Israel’s Arab Parties Back Benny Gantz to End Netanyahu’s Grip. “This is a dark day,” Nitzan Horowitz, leader of the liberal Meretz party, said in a speech ahead of the vote. IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz in a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2015. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Copy Link; Share on Facebook. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approaches the podium to speak from his Jerusalem office on Saturday, March 14, 2020, saying Israel's restaurants and places of entertainment will be closed to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Benny Gantz elected Israeli speaker, signalling deal with Netanyahu This article is more than 5 months old Shock twist to electoral saga splits opposition, with power-sharing agreement expected He served as the 20th Chief of General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from 2011 to 2015 and the 17th Speaker of the Knesset from 26 March 2020 to 17 May 2020. Gantz’s critics have savaged him for doing so. Two leaders of Benny Gantz's centrist Blue and White party abandoned it on Sunday, in rejection of Gantz's decision to join an emergency unity government with rival Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. FILE - In this Saturday, March 7, 2020 file photo, Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz delivers a statement in Tel Aviv, Israel. 2, 2020. Benny Gantz: 'Netanyahu is afraid I'll be prime minister' 'Most important goal right now is to remove PM Netanyahu from his position,' Defense Min. "We prevented a fourth election," Gantz tweeted Monday evening after the announcement of an agreement, adding, "We will safeguard the democracy, we will fight the coronavirus and we will take care of all the citizens of Israel.". Gantz was backed by a slim majority in the newly elected Knesset. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and defense minister Benny Gantz are seen together during a news conference on July 27, 2020, in Tel Aviv, Israel. There was no immediate comment on the reports from Gantz’s party. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Netanyahu’s Likud emerged as the largest party in the March 2 election, but along with his smaller religious and nationalist allies, fell short of securing the required majority in parliament. Defense Minister Benny Gantz and his Blue and White party did not realize in time that the trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would also hurt them. It also drew angry criticism from his political partners, who accused him of betrayal, and ripped apart his Blue and White party, an alliance of three anti-Netanyahu factions. Even though Gantz has agreed to let Netanyahu remain as Prime Minister, Israel's President Reuven Rivlin is required by law to give Netanyahu the mandate to form a new government. Get email notification for articles from Yossi Verter Follow. Frank Miles is a reporter and editor covering geopolitics, military, crime, technology and sports for FoxNews.com. May. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz. Benny Gantz made this possible by agreeing on March 26 to form a national unity government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Under the Trump plan, Israel can expect to receive the United States' support for the application of Israeli sovereignty over all settlements in the territory as well as the Jordan Valley, which lies along the border with Jordan. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner, File). This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Jerusalem (CNN)Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz have agreed on the formation of a national emergency government, according to a joint statement from Blue and White and Netanyahu's Likud party. If the High Court were to find in favor of the petitioners then Israel could yet find itself facing a fourth general election in the summer. "I promised the state of Israel a national emergency government that will act to save the lives and livelihoods of the citizens of Israel. It's a disappointing decision," Lapid said, speaking in Tel Aviv Thursday night. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. ©2021 FOX News Network, LLC. Lapid has taken the role of head of the opposition from Benny Gantz, a former army chief who fought Netanyahu during the past three elections but … CLICK FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE OF THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK. Netanyahu and rival Benny Gantz reach agreement to form unity government in Israel The agreement breaks a persistent political deadlock drawn out by … Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz have agreed on the formation of a national emergency government, according to a … Legal Statement. The announcement, which includes a timeline for potential annexation of parts of the West Bank over the summer, appears to bring to an end more than a year of political deadlock during which. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Moreover, when voters are asked who is “most suitable” to be Prime Minister, polls show Netanyahu running neck and neck with Benny Gantz, the former chief … Even in recent weeks, he had rebuffed Netanyahu’s overtures. Netanyahu's Likud party, which has held power since 2009, has trailed in some election polls the Blue and White party led by the former military general Benny Gantz. “We will not compromise on the principles that more than 1 million citizens voted for. I will continue to do everything for you, citizens of Israel," he said. Benny Gantz trapped over Netanyahu’s trial. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may have to share power with his chief rival Benny Gantz, who was chosen on Thursday as the new speaker of parliament. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Members of Blue and White believe Netanyahu is using the health crisis to shield himself from prosecution and have expressed skepticism that Netanyahu would keep his word to relinquish power next year. Netanyahu echoed the message of unity in a tweet of his own. 2, 2020. By Andrew Carey, Amir Tal and Oren Liebermann, CNN. (Gali Tibbon/Pool via AP). At that point, it is possible there will be a fresh petition submitted to the High Court to declare Netanyahu's mandate illegal because of his criminal indictments. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. During the first part of the rotation arrangement, Gantz will be known as the Alternate Prime Minister, and his Blue and White party will hold the key position of Defense Minister, as well as Foreign Minister. 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