Crucial day for Benjamin Netanyahu, as Israel is plunged into political deadlock since the parliamentary elections of September 17 (which has not designated a winner, Ed). The Israeli prime minister, who is seeking to remain in office, will face a long-awaited hearing on Wednesday (October 2nd).
Prime Minister's lawyers to meet with Attorney General Avichaï Mandelblit, who will decide, possibly in the coming weeks, whether or not to indict the current Prime Minister for "corruption", "fraud" and "breach of trust" in three cases .
The latter, claiming his innocence and tirelessly denouncing a "witch hunt", had asked that the hearing, which should last several days, be broadcast live so that "the audience hears everything", stating that "he had nothing to hide".
Request immediately rejected by the general, who considers that the hearing is "intended to convince the legal authorities" and not "to convince the public". The Prime Minister should not be present at the hearing.
Announced meeting between Netanyahu and Gantz
The second major issue on Wednesday, the negotiators of Likud (right) Benjamin Netanyahu and the centrist party Kahol Lavan ("Blue-white") rival Benny Gantz had planned to meet in the hope of forming a government of union. These talks were to be followed by a tête-à-tête between the two rivals.
But the day before the meeting, after a two-day national break because of the Jewish New Year, Benny Gantz's party canceled Wednesday's meetings, saying the "preconditions" essential to dialogue had not been met. It could be this week or the next, however, the party said.
The Blue-white party believes that Benjamin Netanyahu can not lead a government until his affairs with the law are settled and he can not represent all the parties of the right and religious in the talks, but only the Likud .
"The Likud is stunned by Kahol Lavan's decision to shatter the negotiations and cancel the meetings (...)," the Prime Minister's party immediately responded, accusing members of Bleu-blanc of refusing a meeting. alternating between Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz in a government of union.
Arm wrestling for the Prime Minister's chair
After the legislative elections of 17 September, neither of the two major parties managed to win a majority in Parliament, even through their respective allies, thus forcing President Reuven Rivlin to separate them, mandating Benjamin Netanyahu to try to form the next government.
An agreement between the two parties would exceed the threshold required for the majority. But the debate comes up against the question of who, Benjamin Netanyahu or Benny Gantz, would be the first to lead a unity government.
Benjamin Netanyahu not only wants to be the first on the Prime Minister's chair, but wants to ensure a compromise allowing him to temporarily withdraw by keeping his title if he were charged by the courts. Benny Gantz would then be acting Prime Minister, which he refuses.
But if the current prime minister fails to form the government, he will have to return his "mandate" to the president, who can then hand it over to Benny Gantz. However, at this stage, there is no indication that the former general will succeed in rallying Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud or co-opting his allies.
With AFP