Gantz lays out 5 demands to Netanyahu to avert elections

Speaking to his party members during a video-conference, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz says he laid out five demands to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avert elections.

“If they want it, they’ll take it. If they don’t, there will be elections,” he says.

The demands are: passing a 2020-2021 budget; approving all the senior appointments that have been held up; closing all loopholes that would allow Netanyahu to avoid handing over power to Gantz as part of their rotation agreement; keeping Avi Nissenkorn as justice minister; and approving the Knesset rules of procedure.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz attend a graduation ceremony for new Air Force pilots at the Hatzerim air base near Beersheba, June 25, 2020. (Ariel Schalit/ Pool/AFP)

If Netanyahu accepts, says Gantz, Blue and White will support a bill to delay the budget deadline, thus preventing elections from being called on Tuesday night when the current deadline expires.