During a faction meeting, Knesset members of Blue & White challenged the party’s conduct regarding the scenario of the formation of a minority government with the support of the Joint Arab List.

As party leader MK Benny Gantz continues efforts to form a coalition government, members of Blue & White remain divided regarding what type of government Gantz is going to form. According to a KAN Reshet Bet Radio report by Ze’ev Kam, the machlokes surrounds the possibility of forming a minority government with left-wing parties that would enjoy the support of the Joint Arab List from the outside. Party MKs Yoaz Hendel, Tzvika Hauser and Orit Farkash expressed adamant opposition to forming such a government. They are calling on Gantz to announce he will not form such a government. Gantz however, backed by other party MKs, is unwilling to make such a declaration at this time.

According to the Reshet Bet report, Hendel stated such a scenario may not be among the options being considered, asking Gantz to publicly declare he is not considering such an option.

Party MK Ram Ben-Barak called on Hendel to accept the party’s decision, backing Gantz and the possibility of enjoying the backing of the Arab legislators in a minority coalition situation. Hauser added such a situation will only harm negotiations towards bringing the Likud party onboard towards establishing a broad national unity coalition government. MK Yair Lapid added, “There may not be those who will say that only their viewpoint is ideological and the rest are in fact opportunists. It is not possible.”

MK Moshe Ayalon, one of the party’s senior officials, tried to find a middle ground between the camps, adding only one who favors a Jewish democratic state can be a partner of the party. Gantz brought the dispute to an end, stating, “Everyone has their viewpoint, but Blue & White has only one position.”

The party released the following statement: “Blue & White is committed and united around the goal of establishing a liberal and broad unity government led by Benny Gantz.”

Blue & White MK Avi Nissankoren, a former head of the Histadrut National Labor Federation added, “There is an array of opinions and that is ok. At the end, Blue & White is a single party and its decisions will compel all members to tow the line. We are in favor of a national unity coalition with guidelines acceptable to Likud and Blue & White. On the other hand, we are currently checking into our options.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)