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Gantz Given 48 Hours to Form Government

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz were given a further 48 hours to try and reach a coalition deal, the Times of Israel reports. President Reuven Rivlin agreed the short extension minutes before the midnight-on-Monday deadline that Gantz had been given to form a government.

Rivlin had previously rejected a request by Gantz for a 14-day extension, but granted 48 hours when both party leaders said there had been “significant progress in talks to form an emergency unity government.” The negotiations were set to resume Tuesday.

Key areas to be resolved reportedly include Netanyahu’s concern that if a High Court ruling disqualifies him from serving as prime minister while facing criminal charges, Gantz would take over as PM for the whole term of their coalition. Netanyahu was believed to be seeking some kind of legislative assurance that this would not happen.

Another problematic area was that of West Bank annexation under the US peace plan. Gantz had demanded a right of veto on the issue. However, it is believed Gantz has now withdrawn this demand.

In the event the parties fail to agree a deal by the new deadline, Rivlin has said he will ask Knesset members to recommend one of their colleagues to receive the mandate to form a government. This would be rather than asking Netanyahu to try. Whichever MK obtained more than 61 recommendations would be given the mandate. If the Knesset cannot find a candidate in 21 days, Israel will go to its fourth election.

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