Liberman not endorsing Gantz or Netanyahu, signaling 3rd elections

Yisrael Beytenu party leader Avigdor Liberman says he won’t join forces with either Blue and White or Likud, signaling that Israel is headed to an unprecedented third election in a single year.

At a faction meeting, Liberman says Benny Gantz and Benjamin Netanyahu’s parties refused to compromise in the coalition negotiations.

“As far as I’m concerned, they are both guilty,” he tells reporters.

“The only thing that came between us and a unity government is personal agendas,” Liberman adds.

Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman speaks at faction meeting in the Knesset on November 20, 2019.

Liberman’s comments come as a midnight deadline closes in on Gantz’s window to present a coalition government.

If Gantz fails, which is now all but guaranteed, the country enters the final 21-day period for a candidate to present a majority before new elections are called.