At 8:00PM on Wednesday evening, President Reuven Rivlin gave the mandate to form the next government to Blue and White leader Benny Gantz Wednesday night. At a press conference in Jerusalem, Rivlin called on political parties to make “concessions,” while Gantz promised to “try to form a liberal union government.”

“We must behave responsibly towards Israeli citizens and avoid new elections,” Gantz said, adding that there would be room for “all elements of Israeli society” in his coalition.

Gantz has 28 days to assemble the government, and he will not be able to request a further extension.

Gantz began calling other party leaders to arrange meetings to discuss the formation of a new government. He was met with mixed sentiments.

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When Gantz called Chairman of United Torah Judaism (UTJ) Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman, the latter told Gantz that he did not want to meet because the Likud represents UTJ as part of the right-wing bloc.

Speaking later with MK Moshe Gafni (also UTJ) Gafni said that he would recommend that the party meet with Gantz.

Gantz spoke with Labor party Chairman Amir Peretz and stressed his desire to form a broad liberal unity government. The two agreed to meet soon and to have their parties’ negotiating teams meet as well.

Yisrael Beiteinu party leader Avigdor Lieberman also agreed to meet with Gantz. Lieberman reiterated that his party is under no obligation to support either Likud or Blue and White over the other.

Likud MK and former Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat wrote on his Twitter feed that Gantz shouldn’t depend on defectors from the Likud joining his government. “Benny, I know that you want what is best for the country, but you also know that the time has not yet come for you to be the Prime Minister… Now is the time for a unity government under the leadership of Netanyahu, that will safeguard our beloved country and allow it to grow. And a small tip, don’t bank on a revolt in our party. It won’t happen.”

Ayelet Shaked, who is the chairman of the New Right party also pushed off Gantz’s request for a meeting stating that the party will be represented by the negotiating team for the right-wing bloc.

The right-wing bloc is being represented by Likud MKs Yariv Levine and Zeev Elkin.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)