Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu awaits a declaration from MK Avigdor Lieberman, who is the chairman of the Yisrael Beitenu party. Netanyahu is concerned that Lieberman might be willing to enter into a coalition with the left-wing and Arab parties, which means if given the presidential mandate, Blue & White party leader MK Benny Gantz would succeed in forming a left-wing coalition excluding Likud, the religious and chareidi parties. Such a coalition would include Blue & White (33 seats), Joint Arab List (13), Yisrael Beiteinu (8), Labor-Gesher (6) and the Democratic Union-Meretz (5) for a coalition of 65.

It appears PM Netanyahu realizes he is unable to form a coalition government, but he has not returned the presidential mandate to President Reuven Rivlin because he fears Lieberman may be willing to enter into a coalition with the left-wing and Arab parties after the president gives the mandate to Gantz.

Netanyahu is calling on Lieberman to declare he will not be a part of such a coalition. The mandate expires next week, on Wednesday, October 23, 2019. Netanyahu may request a 14-day extension from the president, but Mr. Rivlin is not likely to accommodate such a request at present, realizing Netanyahu is deadlocked in coalition-building efforts.

Lieberman on Tuesday released a message, stating “the only one cooperating with the Arabs [parties in Knesset] is Netanyahu.

Likud and Blue & White party officials continue to release accusations and cross accusations, each blaming the other for the failure of coalition efforts.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)