Netanyahu to Gantz: Let’s form government, you’ll be PM first in rotation

In a bid to resolve the political deadlock, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly offered a premiership rotation deal to Benny Gantz, which would see the Blue and White leader assume the top office first.

Zman Yisrael, The Times of Israel’s Hebrew-language sister site, reported last week that Likud officials were considering enabling Gantz to become prime minister for the next two years while Netanyahu serves as his alternate.

Channel 12 reported the proposal during its primetime broadcast Sunday.

It says Netanyahu called Gantz two days ago and offered to form a government together, under a deal that envisions Gantz becoming prime minister for a year, followed by Netanyahu for two years, and then Gantz for another year. Netanyahu would remain in the official Prime Minister’s Residence and Gantz would remain defense minister, the TV report says.

Gantz told Netanyahu the prospect of such an agreement was unlikely.

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz (left) is seen with his back to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the Knesset approves a preliminary reading of a bill to dissolve parliament, December 2, 2020. (Danny Shem-Tov / Knesset spokesperson’s office)

Netanyahu is considering extending the same offer to Yamina chairman Naftali Bennett, the network says.

Under their rotation deal in the previous power-sharing government, Gantz was set to become prime minister in November after Netanyahu, but the government collapsed before the handover of power in what many analysts saw as a deliberate maneuver by the Likud leader.

Channel 13 reports that Netanyahu is expected to offer the premiership in rotation to one of the leaders of the so-called “change bloc,” without elaborating.