In the backdrop of calls from the Blue & White party to form a coalition with Likud, but without Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu standing at the party’s helm, PM Netanyahu is contemplating immediate party primaries, possibly in the coming week or two. Party officials on Thursday released a statement confirming the possibility of a party election.

The statement explains the purpose of the primaries is to bring an end to rumors of an “internal revolution” in Likud.

Mr. Netanyahu’s main political rival within the party, former minister MK Gideon Saar, released a two-word tweet telling the public “I’m ready”.

Acting Foreign Minister (Likud) Yisrael Katz has already announced his support for the prime minister. He blames Blue & White leaders with possibly leading the country to a third round of elections because party chairman, MK Benny Gantz, refused to team with Likud in a national unity government for as long as PM Netanyahu heads the party because there are a number of corruption investigations against the prime minister.

אני מוכן.

— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) October 3, 2019

Knesset Speaker (Likud) Yuli Edelstein on Thursday morning told Reshet Bet Radio that Mr. Netanyahu would step down from office, declaring he is “incapacitated” in the event a criminal indictment is filed against him. Nevertheless, for the time being, Blue & White remains adamant in its refusal to enter a national unity coalition government with Likud for as long as Netanyahu is the party leader.

Gantz however reiterated that he and his colleagues will do everything possible towards establishing a national unity government and avoiding another round of elections.

יו"ר כחול לבן @gantzbe: "אנחנו עושים ונעשה הכול כדי שתקום ממשלה רחבה, יציבה ולצידה כנסת מתפקדת. אלו ימים שניתן להגדיר כימים נוראיים, שכן עברנו שתי מערכות בחירות של שיסוי איש ברעהו. ישראל עסוקה יותר מדי זמן בבחירות. באתי לפוליטיקה כדי להוביל את ישראל למקום טוב יותר" • צפו בדברים pic.twitter.com/3W2ItuMIGv

— חדשות 13 (@newsisrael13) October 3, 2019

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)