Netanyahu
NetanyahuKobi Richter/TPS

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu this morning again referred to a unity government, which he is seeking to establish in light of the coronavirus crisis.

"Faced with the global and national emergencies, we must unite forces and establish a strong and stable government that can pass a budget and make tough decisions," he tweeted.

He said he had given Blue and White Chairman Gantz and his associates a proposal to join an emergency national government that he would head.

"The government will be appointed for 6 months, and ministerial positions will be divided equally. The PM [will not be able to] fire Blue and White ministers, and Blue and White [will not be able to] to make a no confidence vote agaisnt [my government].

"At the end of this time period, we will return to the current state of affairs."

Alternatively, he said, he would be ready to discuss the establishment of a national unity government with a rotation agreement "on the basis of equality in time and composition."

"In this unity government, I will continue to serve as Prime Minister for the next two years, and during this time Benny Gantz will serve as Deputy Prime Minister with the same equal division of ministers and the rules for government. After this two-year period, Gantz will take up the post of prime minister and [his] government will serve over the following two years."

"I call on Benny Gantz to meet me and at the same time hold a meeting between the negotiating teams in order to establish a government."

"I call on Amir Peretz and Avigdor Liberman to show responsibility and join any government we establish. The State of Israel needs it. The people of Israel expect it," concluded the prime minister.

Now is the time to join the new and improved Arutz Sheva Newsletter: