Jerusalem: Benjamin Netanyahu will remain Israel’s Prime Minister after he agreed to form a national unity government with his main political rival, Benny Gantz, a deal which brings a year-long political crisis to an end.
In a joint statement, the ruling center-right Likud Party and the liberal Blue and White Party said: “An agreement for the establishment of a national emergency government is now being signed,” Efe news reported.
The deal comes after three back-to-back elections had failed to yield a clear winner between incumbent Netanyahu, in power since 2009, and former army chief Gantz.
Although the statement did not provide further details, the rivals have reportedly agreed to share the role of prime minister on a rotating basis, with Netanyahu occupying the post for the first 18 months before handing over power to Gantz, who will initially become Minister of Defense.
In a statement on Twitter, Gantz said they had “prevented” a fourth round of elections.
Netanyahu, meanwhile, promised “to work to save the lives and livelihoods of Israeli citizens”.
