JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted on Thursday that the premiership could rotate with rival Benny Gantz, after he invited Gantz to join him in a unity government.
The call came after Netanyahu's Likud failed to win a majority in Sunday's parliamentary election, sharing seats with a blue-white party.
At a ceremony to commemorate former Prime Minister Shimon Peres, Netanyahu noted that the late leftist leader had formed a coalition with Yitzhak Shamir, a conservative, in which he rotated the premiership from 1984 to 1988.
"When there was no clear victory in the Knesset elections, Shimon chose national unity and agreed with Yitzhak Shamir to cooperate to bring Israel to safety," Netanyahu said in a speech attended by Gantz.
"In this election, too, there was no clear victory. I invite you, Benny ... Let us work together to bring the State of Israel back to safety."
In contrast, officials in a blue-white party called Netanyahu's call for Gantz a hoax and ugly maneuver, noting that he was maneuvering to hide the decision to go to new elections.
Prevent another round
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin did not hide the complexity of the Israeli political scene after the Gantz elections, but he and Netanyahu failed to secure a majority of 61 seats to form the next government.
"Even today it is not clear where the new Knesset is heading," Rivlin said at a ceremony commemorating former Israeli President Shimon Peres. For consultations. "
"I will do my best to prevent another round of elections, but it is your responsibility, the elected officials, and specifically those who are at the head of the largest parties."