Accepting the president's nomination to form the next government, Blue and White Chairman MK Benny Gantz promised on Wednesday in his speech at the President's Residence in Jerusalem to be a prime minister for all Israelis – Arabs, Druze, LGBTQ, ultra-Orthodox. He spoke of the security challenges facing the country, and noted his desire to "put Israeli first."
Part of his message, however, according to senior Blue and White officials, was directed at his party's co-leader, Yair Lapid. "Whoever drags Israel to a third election, will be thrown out of the political system," Gantz said.
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"I've made difficult decisions in the past; I've made difficult decisions this year. If I have to, I will make tough decisions in the days ahead as well. My colleagues and I are prepared for that. There will be room for anyone for whom the national interest comes first and foremost; there will be a place for everyone in the government. I don't intend to waste time on matters of ego," he said.
According to the senior officials, those comments were a clear message to Lapid that Gantz expects his support.
"Maybe it sounds to people as if Gantz was speaking about [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu when he said those things," said one senior member of Blue and White, "but in actuality he was referring to Lapid, and Yair is well aware of that."
Another senior Blue and White official clarified that "Benny is fed up with Yair's ego; he wants to establish a government and be prime minister. He understands that Lapid is dragging Blue and White down when it comes to establishing a unity government. Lapid is allergic to Netanyahu and Blue and White wants to conduct negotiations with Likud, and as of now Netanyahu is the leader [of Likud] and therefore it's important to come to an arrangement with him."
The official added: "This is Blue and White's opportunity to replace the government, and if Lapid refuses to realize this and doesn't put his ego aside, he will be thrown out. It won't be possible to move forward in this regard. [Gantz] understands that Lapid and his ego can lead Israel to a third election and that Blue and White's current opportunity can't be squandered, which is why it's important for Lapid to understand the message, get in line and stand behind [Gantz]."
'A tent for all of society'
Blue and White, meanwhile, issued an official statement refuting the comments as "another lie without substance. Gantz and Lapid are united and coordinated and arrived at this moment together, against all the prognostications and eulogies.
"The Blue and White chairman spoke up, called for the creation of a liberal, broad unity government headed by Blue and White, and reiterated the party's commitment to change in Israel. We suggest listening and quoting his words, rather than mysterious sources."
With 28 days starting Thursday until the mandate to form a government runs out, Gantz wasted little time on Wednesday after departing the President's Residence.
In a conversation with Yisrael Beytenu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman, Gantz emphasized his desire to establish a broad and liberal national unity government and the two agreed to meet in the very near future.
Gantz also spoke with Netanyahu, Joint Arab List Chairman Ayman Odeh and MK Ahmad Tibi, and with Deputy Health Minister Yakov Litzman. The Blue and White leader also put out feelers with United Torah Judaism MK Moshe Gafni, Labor leader MK Amir Peretz, and New Right co-leaders Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked.
Addressing Netanyahu in his speech on Wednesday, Gantz called him a "patriot" and said he hoped he could resolve his legal issues.
"It is clear to both of us that the elections outcome and the legal situation demand a change. Together with you and with the other good people at the Likud we must act with responsibility."
He added: "Blue and White was established as a wide tent that represents the different parts of Israeli society. Blue and White is the right political home for the mission we are facing today – forming a government.
"This home, in the State of Israel, has room for all components of Israeli society: For the ultra-Orthodox, who are part of the Israeli fabric and with whom we must sit and talk as brothers. For the young people who have just finished their military service and meet for a drink at the neighborhood pub at the end of a workday. For my religious-Zionist friends, who are always under the stretcher and ready to accept any national mission. For the Arab citizens, who are entitled to personal security and quality education for their children. To our Druze brothers, who are entitled to equality and not just in the IDF. For members of the LGBT community, who are entitled to live a happy life here just like everyone else."
Netanyahu remains caretaker premier until a new government is established. He has been prime minister consecutively since 2009, after a first term from 1996 to 1999, making him Israel's longest-serving leader.
One path for Gantz would be to try and break up Netanyahu's right-wing alliance and recruit some of the smaller parties to his coalition. But that might be seen as a major betrayal by those parties' voters.".
Shaked on Wednesday said, "The right-wing bloc is strong and stable. The quicker they understand that in Blue and White, the more it will be possible to spare us all precious time."
Litzman, for his part, said: "If Blue and White invites us to a meeting, I will send [Tourism Minister Yariv] Levin and [Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage Minister Zeev] Elkin," both from the Likud party. "We won't meet face-to-face [with Blue and White]," Litzman added.
Another option would be to form a minority government with Lieberman, who emerged as kingmaker after his party won eight seats and has refused to endorse either Gantz or Netanyahu. Gantz might be able to convince the Joint Arab List, which won 13 seats, to support the coalition from the outside.
That would bring down Netanyahu but result in a highly unstable government. It's also far from clear that Lieberman, a nationalist with a history of harsh rhetoric toward the Arab minority, would support such a scheme. No Arab party has ever sat in an Israeli government.
The political deadlock dates back to April, when Lieberman refused to join a right-wing coalition under Netanyahu, denying him a majority. In response, the Knesset voted to dissolve itself, leading to an unprecedented repeat election in September. A similar scenario could play out again.
The political deadlock has delayed the Trump administration's release of its long-awaited peace plan. The Palestinians have already rejected the plan, accusing the administration of extreme and unfair bias toward Israel.
In giving Gantz the mandate, Rivlin once again implored Israel's political leaders to come together, saying there is "no justification" to impose a third election on the country.
"If a government is formed, it is true that everyone will pay a price," he said. "But if such a government is not formed, Israeli citizens will pay the heaviest price."
