Israel: after 500 days of crisis, the investiture of the government still postponed

Text by: RFI Follow

For the first time in 18 months, Israel was to have a full-service government this Thursday, May 14. After three successive legislative elections, the two rivals Benyamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz signed a power-sharing agreement. The new government was to be sworn in this Thursday evening. But at the last minute, Benjamin Netanyahu asked for a three-day postponement. He finds himself confronted with a small rebellion within his party, the Likud.

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With our correspondent in Jerusalem, Guilhem Delteil

Never has Israel had a government as large as the one being prepared: 36 ministers should be appointed. But forced to share power, Benyamin Netanyahu must still manage a scarcity of posts: half of the ministries are automatically assigned to Bleu-Blanc and its allies.

Several Likud executives expressed their dissatisfaction this Thursday. Some figures of the party of the head of government find themselves without a portfolio. Others inherit less important ministries than those they occupied. And two Likud deputies had gone so far as to announce that they would boycott the vote of confidence. 

Benyamin Netanyahu finally decided to call Benny Gantz and ask him to postpone the swearing in until Sunday. Officially, the time to restore order to his party. Bleu-Blanc's leader agreed. But a sign of the distrust that reigns between the two men, he withdrew his resignation from the presidency of the Parliament. The post gives him room to maneuver on the agenda of deputies and the texts debated. And he intends to keep it until the establishment of the new government.

Israeli law grants Benjamin Netanyahu until next Thursday for his government to take an oath. Beyond this date, new elections will be automatically called.

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• Israel
• Benyamin netanyahu
• Benny Gantz