The longest political crisis in Israeli history should finally find a way out. After the Supreme Court, the Parliament approved on Thursday a government of union between the Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his ex-rival, Benny Gantz.  

After heated exchanges, until late Wednesday evening, the government agreement was validated at the end of the morning. The vote left little doubt: the Likud of Benjamin Netanyahu and the centrist "Bleu-Blanc" formation of the former army chief, Benny Gantz, and their respective allies have a majority of seats in Parliament.

"The plenary session of the Knesset approved the amendments [to the proposed unity government] at second and third reading. Seventy-one deputies voted for and 37 against," the parliamentary services said in a statement.

Wednesday evening, the Supreme Court, seized by different organizations questioning the legality of the agreement, gave the green light without, however, clearing Benjamin Netanyahu, accused of corruption in a series of cases and whose trial, postponed because of the pandemic, should normally start at the end of the month.

A coalition to get through the Covid-19 crisis

Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz have already announced the presentation of the next government on May 13, in which ministerial portfolios will be shared equally between the two camps. 

After months of crisis, Benny Gantz had agreed to form a coalition with Benjamin Netanyahu despite his indictment, to allow Israel to weather the pandemic of new coronavirus which has now infected around 16,000 people in the country, of whom 239 have died, and boosted unemployment from 3.4% to 27%.

The Prime Minister has already announced the reopening of primary schools, and that of most shops and businesses, which can now gather 50% of their staff in one place. Thousands of Palestinian workers have been able to return to work on the Israeli side.

With AFP

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