World News: Netanyahu Fails to Form Israeli Coalition Government: What’s Next? Possible “Free-for-all!”
- Details
- Category: World News - Europe
- Published on Monday, 21 October 2019 17:31
- Written by Gerald McGlothlin
With his 28-day mandate about to expire, Prime Minister Netanyahu has given up his mandate to form Israel's next coalition government. The mandate is now in the hands of his left-of-center opponent Benny Gantz.
Does that mean that Netanyahu's career is over, or is this just another chapter in Israel's second election saga? Here to explain is the former mayor Shiloh Israel, and author of "Trump and the Jews," David Rubin.
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Q. Can you explain what this confusing coalition-building process in Israel is all about?
A. Yes, one of the top two vote-getters gets the mandate for 28 days to form a majority coalition. Netanyahu has now returned that mandate after failing to form that majority. He was even willing to magnanimously build a unity government with his main opponent from the election, Benny Gantz, from the left-of-center Blue and White Party, but Gantz refused.
Q. Does returning the mandate mean that Netanyahu has lost his chance to continue as PM?
A. Not necessarily. What it means is that Gantz will now have his own 28 days to build the coalition.
Q. Now that Gantz has his own 28-day mandate, what are his chances of succeeding where Netanyahu failed?
A. Not great. Fewer parties support him, and he would probably have to rely on the anti-Israel, terror-supporting Arab party to get his majority. As for the unity possibility, Netanyahu will not want to be subordinate to Gantz.
Q. If Gantz fails to form a majority coalition, what is next for Israel?
A. If Gantz fails, there will be an additional 21-day period, during which any Knesset member can put together and present a majority coalition – kind of a 21-day free-for-all! If no one succeeds, we once again go to new elections.
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Q. Israel has already had two deadlocked elections this year. Can there actually be a third, and if so, would the results be a similar deadlock?
A. Hopefully, the public pressure will be so intense that the politicians will be forced to compromise on their demands before we get to that point. If not, there will be new elections, with the possibility of similar results.
Q. Can you comment on the proverbial elephant in the room – the possible corruption indictment against Netanyahu?
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A. The attorney general is expected to announce in November or December whether he will be indicting Netanyahu for bribery. If he is indicted for bribery, he may resign, which would open many new possibilities in his Likud party. If not, he will be strengthened. And that is why Gantz doesn't seem to be in a rush. He is waiting to see if Netanyahu will continue as Likud leader.
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Bio: David Rubin, former Mayor of Shiloh Israel, is the author of the book, "Trump and the Jews". Rubin is the founder and president of Shiloh Israel Children's Fund, established after he and his then three-year-old son were wounded in a terror attack. He can be found at www.DavidRubinIsrael.com or at http://www.ShilohIsraelChildren.org
