Gantz Elected as Speaker of Knesset, ldstein Steps down

Benjamin (Benny) Gantz, chairman of Blue and White Party was elected as the new speaker of the Knesset (Israel parliament).

Seventy-four KM voted in favour of the new speaker because  the members of the Likud party led by the acting Prime Minister supporting Gantz.

Eighteen members voted against him meanwhile the rest of the members abstained.

After election, Gantz addressed the plenum sitting of the Knesset.

He said that democracy achieved victory today.

He expressed hope that his election helps unify the Israelis behind their government.

Media reports pointed out that the election of Gantz will pave the way to form a new government in Israel.

Both Gantz and Netanyahu vie to form a government because either of them could not muster a majority of 60+1 to support his government in the legislative body.

Following the election of Gantz, the Israeli did not announce any change in their stance toward participating in any new government at all.

On the other hand, Neftali Bennet, Israeli minister of Defence congratulated Gantz on what he depicted as a courageous step that may lead to form the new government chaired by Netanyahu.

Gantz caused a pision inside his party Blue and White.

His former allies accused Gantz of piding the party to join a government led by Netayahu according to Yair Lapid, chairman of Yesh  Atid ( There is future).

Netanyahu urged the political powers to form a government of national unity to confront the Coronavirus, which Gantz vowed to do during election campaign weeks earlier.

The Israelis went to polling stations two times within a year as the leaders of the political powers consented to form a new government.

Observers warned of a third election in one year if the political leaders could not settle their disputes and come to an accord to form a wide-based coalition to lead Israel over the years to come.