Netanyahu Clings to Premiership in Power-Sharing Deal With Rival
- Accord brings Israel closer to ending long political paralysis
- Gantz backed down on vow not to serve under indicted premier
Benjamin Netanyahu
Photographer: Kobi Wolf/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Benjamin Netanyahu and his top rival signed a power-sharing deal that will allow the indicted Israeli prime minister to cling to power for 18 more months and permit lawmakers to quickly take unprecedented action to annex territory Palestinians claim for a state.
The agreement Monday with former military chief Benny Gantz was struck with the declared purpose of providing emergency cover during the coronavirus crisis, and brought the country close to emerging from more than a year of political paralysis. It was made possible after the general, citing changed circumstances, reneged on his refusal to serve with Netanyahu while he faces criminal charges in three influence-peddling cases.