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Blue and White party
Benny Gantz gives a statement in Tel Aviv after giving up his coalition-building bid on November 20, 2019. (Jack GUEZ / AFP)
Raoul Wootliff
Analysis
Raoul Wootliff
Accusing Netanyahu of stealing election, Gantz launches campaign for another
Repeatedly contrasting his own outlook with Netanyahu’s, the Blue and White chief paints a picture of two different leaders and two different Israels
Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz (L) and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet at IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv, on October 27, 2019. (Elad Malka)
November 21, 2019, 10:46 am
Netanyahu again calls on Gantz to hold one-on-one coalition talks
PM says a ‘final push’ to establish unity government with Blue and White leader must be made on behalf of the country
By TOI staff
Blue and White's Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid during a faction meeting at the Knesset on November 18, 2019. (Hadas Parush/Flash90)
November 21, 2019, 12:52 am
Gantz said to blame Lapid, right-wing flank in his party for coalition failure
Behind closed doors, Blue and White leader reportedly lashes out against Zvi Hauser and Yoaz Hendel for blocking Arab-backed minority government
By TOI staff
Benny Gantz gives a statement in Tel Aviv after giving up his coalition-building bid on November 20, 2019. (Jack GUEZ / AFP)
November 21, 2019, 12:11 am
Accusing Netanyahu of stealing election, Gantz launches campaign for another
Repeatedly contrasting his own outlook with Netanyahu’s, the Blue and White chief paints a picture of two different leaders and two different Israels
By Raoul Wootliff
Benny Gantz gives a statement in Tel Aviv after giving up his coalition-building bid on November 20, 2019. (Jack GUEZ / AFP)
November 20, 2019, 8:19 pm
Gantz concedes failure to form coalition, all but assuring new elections
Blue and White leader tells president of defeat after unity talks with Likud collapse; Knesset now has 21 days to find a PM as Israel edges into unprecedented political territory
By Marissa Newman and Raoul Wootliff
Blue and White party chairman Benny Gantz during a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on November 18, 2019. (Hadas Parush/Flash90)
November 20, 2019, 6:36 pm
As clock winds down on Gantz, Netanyahu breathes a sigh of relief
PM has managed to deny his centrist rival a parliamentary majority, and stands poised to reap the rewards when Blue and White chief finally gives up his mandate on Wednesday night
By Shalom Yerushalmi
Blue and White party chairmen Benny Gantz attends a faction meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, on October 28, 2019. (Hadas Parush/Flash90)
November 20, 2019, 4:48 pm
Blue and White officials: We’ll try for unity government ‘until the last moment’
Despite Liberman claiming both sides reject compromise, Gantz’s party says he will continue efforts till midnight to prevent third election and form a coalition with Likud
By Raoul Wootliff
(R-L) Joint List MK Mtanes Shihadeh, President Reuven Rivlin and Joint List MKs Ayman Odeh, Mansour Abbas and Ahmad Tibi during a meeting at the President's Residence in Jerusalem on November 20, 2019. (Amos Ben Gershom/GPO)
November 20, 2019, 3:04 pm
Rivlin meets party leaders as coalition chances fade
President sits down with representatives of Blue and White, Joint List and UTJ, possibly in preparation for last 21 days before new elections will likely be called
By TOI staff
Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman speaks at a faction meeting in the Knesset on November 20, 2019. (Raoul Wootliff/Times of Israel)
November 20, 2019, 2:15 pm
Signaling 3rd elections, Liberman accuses Gantz and Netanyahu of thwarting unity
Yisrael Beytenu leader claims he received ‘innumerable offers’ – including to be PM under rotation deal – but says ‘we will not sell our values for seats’
By Raoul Wootliff
Photo composition (L to R): Blue and White chief Benny Gantz, Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Yonatan Sindel, Noam Revkin Fenton/Flash90)
November 20, 2019, 11:13 am
All eyes on Liberman as Netanyahu, Gantz each urge him to ditch the other
PM, Blue and White leaders continue to trade barbs after unity talks break down, ahead of crucial announcement at 1 p.m. by Yisrael Beytenu chief
By Michael Bachner and Raoul Wootliff
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz at a memorial ceremony marking 24 years since the assassination of former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, in the Knesset on November 10, 2019. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
November 20, 2019, 12:58 am
Last-ditch unity meeting appears to fail, with PM and Gantz trading accusations
Blue and White chief says joint coalition ‘cannot be built on sectoral bloc’; Netanyahu accuses rival of seeking a minority government; Liberman set to announce decisions Wednesday
By Raoul Wootliff
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks before a map of the Jordan Valley as he gives a statement, promising to extend Israeli sovereignty to the Jordan Valley and northern Dead Sea area, in Ramat Gan on September 10, 2019. (Menahem KAHANA / AFP)
November 19, 2019, 11:09 pm
Netanyahu vows unity government’s 1st move will be Jordan Valley annexation
PM holds crucial meeting with rival Gantz on potential coalition, after calling on him to make use of ‘unique opportunity’ posed by US’s settlement policy shift
By Michael Bachner
President Reuven Rivlin meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz at the President's Residence in Jerusalem on September 23, 2019. (Haim Zach/GPO)
November 19, 2019, 7:59 pm
Likud, Blue and White holding ‘serious’ talks amid efforts for last-minute deal
Netanyahu, Gantz to hold crucial meeting at 10 p.m., with centrist party said looking for promises from PM on immunity, leave of absence
By TOI staff
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu points at a map of the Jordan Valley as he gives a statement, promising to extend Israeli sovereignty to the Jordan Valley and northern Dead Sea area, in Ramat Gan on September 10, 2019. (Menahem Kahana/AFP)
November 19, 2019, 5:48 pm
After US settlement shift, PM said backing push to quickly annex Jordan Valley
In wake of Pompeo’s announcement, Netanyahu reportedly approves effort to have Likud MK’s bill go up for Knesset vote as early as next week; however, timing could prove problematic
By Michael Bachner
Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz (L) and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet at IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv, on October 27, 2019. (Elad Malka)
November 19, 2019, 2:37 pm
Netanyahu and Gantz to meet in last-gasp bid to form government
Blue and White leader will sit down with PM, 26 hours before deadline to assemble coalition, with no breakthrough in sight
By TOI staff
Photo composition (L to R): Blue and White chief Benny Gantz, Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Yonatan Sindel, Noam Revkin Fenton/Flash90)
November 19, 2019, 8:01 am
Netanyahu, Liberman hold ‘positive’ meeting as Gantz’s coalition deadline looms
Yisrael Beytenu leader said Monday that he’ll work to force unity government until Wednesday afternoon, then it’s ‘every man for himself’
By TOI staff
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