Gantz tasked with forming new Israeli government

Ex-Israeli military chief Benny Gantz accepted the challenge of forming a new government on Wednesday, becoming the first person other than Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to do so since 2009.

After inconclusive elections in both April and September, Netanyahu has struggled to form a coalition and finally gave up on Monday.

At a press conference in Jerusalem, President Reuven Rivlin called on the various political parties to make “concessions,” while Gantz promised he would “try to form a liberal union government.”

Although Gantz — who will have 28 days to form a government — has expressed confidence about the task, he is expected to face many difficulties.

If Gantz is unable to build a coalition in time, the country would face an unprecedented third election in a year, an effort to reset the parliamentary arithmetic. Rivlin promised Wednesday night that he would do everything possible to avoid another vote.

Gantz has so far rejected an offer for Blue and White to join Netanyahu’s Likud in a “national unity” government. In doing so, he has cited looming corruption indictments against the prime minister. Netanyahu denies the allegations.

Via Jerusalem Post/Haaretz