The Israeli Supreme Court validated, Wednesday, May 6, the agreement for a government of union between the outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his ex-rival Benny Gantz.

The highest court in the Hebrew state publicly confirmed its decision shortly after Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz announced their government's oath on May 13 to end the longest political crisis in history of Israel.

After sixteen months of transitional government and three parliamentary elections, the two men had finally managed, on April 20, to agree on the formation of a government of national unity.   

Faced with the deadlock and the coronavirus crisis, the then leader of the opposition Benny Gantz proposed to bury the hatchet and form a government with the Prime Minister despite the latter's indictment for corruption, breach of trust and embezzlement in a series of cases.

The agreement surprised a part of the political class and was lambasted by local NGOs which challenged it up to the Supreme Court. For them, Benjamin Netanyahu cannot lead the next government because of his troubles with the justice system and the provisions of the agreement violates fundamental laws, the equivalent of the Constitution in Israel.

This "union and emergency" government plans to keep Benjamin Netanyahu as Prime Minister for 18 months, followed by Benny Gantz for an equivalent period, as well as a program to annex parts of the West Bank. occupied by Israel.

With AFP

The France 24 week summary invites you to come back to the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Take international news everywhere with you! Download the France 24 app

google-play-badge_FR