In hopes of ending Israel’s one-year political deadlock, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to surrender his role as prime minister to his centrist political rival Benny Gantz, starting next year.
The power-sharing agreement comes after weeks of intense negotiations to move the country forward after three consecutive elections failed to produce a clear winner.
Since last April, Israel has remained without a constitutionally approved government, although Netanyahu was able to clinch on to his title as prime minister but with no real governance power.
The driving factor behind the newly found partnership is the global coronavirus pandemic that has now infected 13,500 Israeli’s, killed 173, and left 26% of the population unemployed.
“We have prevented a fourth election. We will protect democracy. We will fight coronavirus and care for all Israel’s citizens,” Gantz said on Twitter. Netanyahu and Gantz will form a national emergency government to tackle the virus. Under the agreement, Netanyahu will continue his reign as the country’s longest-serving prime minister for exactly 18 months. He’ll then handover the title to Gantz once the agreed-upon date arrives. In the meantime, Gantz will serve as Israel's defence minister and members of his Israel Resilience Party will be given cabinet positions as well. By: Niza Nondo
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