Heavy pressure is being exerted on MK Amir Peretz, who is the chairman of the Labor party, as efforts by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu are underway to form a coalition government. Mr. Netanyahu was given the presidential mandate on Wednesday evening, and now has 28 days to assemble his coalition of a minimum majority of 61 MKs.

According to a Yediot Achronot report on Thursday, September 26, 2019, the pressure being applied on Peretz is coming primarily from Likud activists, such as the party’s representatives from kibbutzim, moshavim and others, who are trying to assist the prime minister in assembling his next coalition.

According to the report, Peretz is already being offered prominent positions, including Finance Minister for himself, and Health Minister for Orly Levi-Abekasis, head of the Gesher faction of his party. The same sources are quoted anonymously explaining that if Peretz agrees to enter into coalition negotiations, “he can sweeten the package”.

Peretz’s message is that he has promised voters that he will not “sit in a coalition with Netanyahu”, explaining he promised to oust the prime minister, for the nation wants new leadership. Peretz remains firmly opposed to joining a coalition headed by PM Netanyahu.

התחייבנו ונקיים – לא נשב עם נתניהו ולא ננהל אתו מו״מ.
הוא חייב להפנים כי אזרחי ישראל בחרו להחליפו ורוצים תקוה חדשה. המנדט שקבלנו מבוחרינו הוא להחליף לא רק את נתניהו, אלא גם את המדיניות שלו. שינוי חברתי אמיתי יוכל להעשות רק אם יתחיל עידן חדש של מעבר מהפקרה חברתית להשקעה חברתית.

— עמיר פרץ (@amirperetz) September 26, 2019

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)