Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu calls for emergency government

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has called for the formation of an emergency government to confront the coronavirus crisis.

Benjamin Netanyahu has called for politics to be put aside. Picture: AFP

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for the formation of an emergency government to confront a growing crisis over the coronavirus, offering a potential way out of the deadlock that has paralysed the political system for the past year.

Mr Netanyahu made the offer in a nationally televised address on Thursday night, saying the virus does “not differentiate” ­between Jews and non-Jews or between the left and right.

“I call for the formation now, even this evening, of a national emergency government,” he said, adding that politics should be put aside. “It will be an emergency government for a limited period. Together, we will fight to save the lives of citizens.”

His rival, former military chief Benny Gantz, said he was willing to discuss the possibility of a unity government and his party would do “everything in our power to see it move forward”.

The conciliatory language marked a sharp change after months of acrimonious campaigning and heightened rhetoric in the wake of another inconclusive election earlier this month.

Israel has been relatively insulated from the coronavirus scare, with just over 100 cases diagnosed so far, but the numbers have begun to creep up in recent days.

Israel has imposed a number of tough restrictions to slow the spread of the virus, placing tens of thousands of people into protective home quarantine, ordering all Israelis who return from overseas into quarantine and barring ­almost all tourists from entering the country. Mr Netanyahu ­announced that schools and universities would be closed through the end of the Passover holiday in mid-April, with the exception of preschools, boarding schools and special education facilities.

Israel’s Health Ministry has barred all gatherings of more than 100 people.

This month’s election was Israel’s third to end in deadlock in the past year. Mr Netanyahu’s Likud emerged as the single largest party but fell short of securing a majority of seats in parliament ­required to form a government. Although a slight majority of Knesset members oppose Mr Netanyahu, they are deeply divided on other issues. Mr Gantz, of the centrist Blue and White party, also appears to lack enough support to form a government.

A unity government between the two large parties would be the most straightforward way out of the crisis. But after three contentious campaigns, there is great animosity between the two leaders, and it remains unclear who would lead a unity government. Still, the growing coronavirus threat may be the spark that brings the sides together. Mr Gantz has previously ruled out a partnership with Mr Netanyahu, citing the Prime Minister’s upcoming trial on corruption ­charges, to begin next week.

Mr Netanyahu has insisted he lead any unity government.

Citing the urgent health crisis, Mr Gantz appeared to be open to compromise.

“Given the circumstances, we are willing to discuss the possibility of establishing a broad ­national unity government, ­reflective of the entire Israeli public,” he said early on Friday AEDT. “We will do everything in our power to see it move forward for the sake of the state of Israel and its citizens.”

AP