In an unexpected development on Monday, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White leader Gantz signed an agreement to form an emergency unity government.
The deal will include a rotation between Netanyahu and Gantz as Prime Minister in 18 month periods, with the other as a deputy. Under the terms of the deal, Netanyahu will assume the position of Prime Minister first and later be replaced by Gantz in October 2021.
PM Netanyahu said in a tweet afterwards: “I promised the State of Israel a national emergency government that will act to save the lives and livelihoods of Israeli citizens”.
The breakthrough came shortly after President Rivlin announced that the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) would be tasked with picking the next Prime Minister, while being given an additional 21 days to do so.
In terms of what this means for the respective parties, Likud and its allied parties will receive the Finance, Health, Internal Security, Construction, Transportation and Education duties. Blue and White will receive the Defence, Foreign Affairs, Justice, Economy, Communications and Culture responsibilities. Meanwhile, the Knesset speaker will be from Likud.
This divide in ministerial roles will see new ground being broken in Israeli politics. For example, MK Pnina Tamano-Shata is expected to be the first Ethiopian-born minister and Omer Yankelevich the first Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) female minister.
In regards to the Middle East as a whole, this agreement has huge implications on the policy front. The Trump Peace Plan is now expected to go ahead as planned, which includes enabling Israel to apply sovereignty in the West Bank.
On Sunday, thousands of Israelis took part in a socially distanced protest in Tel Aviv over their condemnation of Netanyahu’s continuing rule.
Addressing the crowd on Sunday, Yesh Atid-Telem leaders Yair Lapid and Moshe Ya’alon both accused Netanyahu of destroying Israeli democracy and said their former ally, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, was allowing it to happen by seeking to join him in government.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab congratulated the two leaders on Twitter: “Congratulations to Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz on forming a new government. Looking forward to continuing to work with Israel to deepen Flag of United Kingdom and Flag of Israel collaboration. Especially important to continue working closely together to beat #coronavirus”.
