Gantz says crisis means he and Netanyahu must form unity partnership

Addressing the nation, Blue and White head Benny Gantz says that the coronavirus crisis obligates him and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form an “emergency unity government.”

Speaking in a televised address, he says that the crisis and the results of the election mean Netanyahu must accept a partnership.

“The emergency situation forced me to accept upon myself to give up on my declaration that I would not sit in a government with Netanyahu,” he says.

He says that he is working for the good of the country, and at this time of emergency, no leader can afford to play ego games.

He says he took risks in order to try and forge a unity government, and that he did not want to dismantle the Blue and White alliance, but needed to “think of a different path” given the crisis.