Gantz refuses to commit to recommending Lapid as head of next government

Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz refuses to commit to recommending the head of the center-left bloc, Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid, to form the next coalition.

Speaking at Channel 12’s Influencers Conference, Gantz says he’ll recommend “anyone who can replace Netanyahu,” not ruling out Lapid, New Hope chairman Gideon Sa’ar or Yamina head Naftali Bennett.

Asked if he’d sleep well at night if Lapid is premier, Gantz says, “I’ll sleep peacefully with anyone who is not Netanyahu.”

Asked if he’s concerned whether people in his party will desert him as some did after the previous election, Gantz declares that those who wanted to make personal arrangements “have already done so. Whoever stays – is loyal to me.”

The Blue and White chairman vows that this time he has no plans to serve alongside Netanyahu. “You can fool me once,” he declares.

Gantz refrains from calling on the Meretz party, which is polling below the threshold, to drop out of the race, saying Lapid should have done more to make sure the left-wing slate merged with Labor.