President Isaac Herzog reportedly is working behind the scenes in an attempt to expand the government being formed under the leadership of Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu. In recent days he has spoken with Prime Minister-elect Netanyahu, Yesh Atid Chairman, and outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid as well as Defense Minister Benny Gantz. The president's ambition is for Netanyahu to give up the "extremist" elements in his government, a clear way of alluding to Ben Gvir and his party.
Both Lapid and Gantz made it clear to the president that they are "not interested" in a unity government with Netanyahu. Herzog himself is waiting for the consultations at the President's House that will begin on Wednesday before he makes a public statement on the matter.
In an official response from the President's House, it was stated that "contrary to the reports, the President of the State did not ask the leaders of the parties to join one government or another. It will be emphasized that the consultation procedure at the President's House will only begin tomorrow, after which the task of forming the government will be assigned."
I dont think Gantz will go back on his word to not sit with @netanyahu again. Bibi screwed him the first time around and @gantzbe is a principled man who will lose the support he has if he goes back on that key commitment. Remember, the vote was literally pro-bibi vs anti-bibi.
ā Jay Engelmayer | Judea & Samaria Are In Israel (@jengelmayer) November 8, 2022
At the beginning of the week, Lapid made it clear that he would not enter the government headed by Netanyahu, and so did Gantz last week immediately after the elections.
At the state memorial ceremony for Yitzhak and Leah Rabin on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, as part of the Memorial Day events marking the 27th anniversary of Rabin's murder, the outgoing Prime Minister said that "the government I am heading lost the elections. Those who believe in Israeli democracy when they win should also believe in it when they lose. There is no script and no situation in which we will enter the new government."
After right-wing bloc wins Knesset election, president calls on center-left leaders to help form unity government. Both refuse https://t.co/9yPYytV2uh
ā Israel National News - Arutz Sheva (@ArutzSheva_En) November 8, 2022
Gantz just a day after the elections met with Justice Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Gadi Eisenkot and discussed the rumors that Benjamin Netanyahu is striving to include them in the coalition instead of Ben Gvir and Smootrich.Their joint statement after the meeting made it clear they will join the opposition.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog's office denies reports that he urged Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz to join a unity government led by Benjamin Netanyahuhttps://t.co/dVvXc3VE4a pic.twitter.com/NNF7tuFnPA
ā i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) November 8, 2022
"The State of Israel faces great challenges that will be faced by a government that relies on extremist elements," the three said. "We have decided to continue to establish the nationalist camp as a significant movement in the center of the political arena. We respect the decision of the voters, and after the formation of the government, we will serve as a responsible and state opposition as we continue to build our party as a governing alternative."
