Rivlin asks Likud, Blue and White not to 'take Knesset hostage' in coalition talks

President Reuven Rivlin has spoken on the phone with the leaders of the Blue and White party and with minister Yariv Levin, who is conducting coalition negotiations for the rival Likud, Rivlin’s office says.

The president has urged both sides “not to take the Knesset hostage” in the negotiations, as Blue and White has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s party of doing, the statement says.

It adds that Rivlin asked the parties to try to convene the parliament immediately without connection to the state of their talks.

“Advance the discourse between you in parallel with ensuring the orderly and continuous functioning of the Knesset,” Rivlin says. “Its opening is important to the citizens of Israel at this time of crisis even more than ever.”