Shock as Gantz makes pact with Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s chief rival Benny Gantz has been chosen as the new speaker of Parliament, an unexpected step that could pave the way to a powersharing deal between the two men as the country grapples with a worsening coronavirus crisis.

The sudden turnabout by Gantz, who has spent the past year trying to topple Netanyahu in three bitter and inconclusive elections, appeared to give the embattled Prime Minister a new lease on life as he prepares to go on trial for corruption charges. 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 antiNetanyahu factions.

The vote passed 74-18, with many of Gantz’s former allies, including half of Blue and White, skipping the vote.

“Democracy has won,” Gantz declared in his first speech as speaker, saying he had taken the unpopular step to deal with the national emergency.

But in a series of speeches ahead of the vote, a string of opposition lawmakers who had backed Gantz streamed into the empty Parliament chamber one after another to rail against him.

“This is a dark day,” said Nitzan Horowitz, leader of the liberal Meretz party, in a speech ahead of the vote. “There are no other ways to describe the runaround going on here.”

Israeli media reported that Gantz and Netanyahu were working on forming a broad coalition in which Netanyahu would remain as prime minister and Gantz’ party would be granted a number of important portfolios, including defence and justice. In September 2021, Netanyahu would step down and Gantz would become prime minister, the reports said.

The political fireworks come just as the Government enacted new restrictions requiring Israelis to stay at home in almost all circumstances, under threat of fines. Nearly 2700 Israelis have been infected by the new virus, with 41 in serious condition. Eight Israelis have died.

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.