Netanyahu makes last-ditch efforts amid Zionist regime vote

Head of the Zionist regime, Reuven Rivlin, once again instructed Benjamin Netanyahu to form the Cabinet, while the Likud Party led by Netanyahu were defeated by the Blue and White political alliance led by Benny Gantz, throughout the Zionist regime's legislative elections.

The 2^nd legislative elections of the Zionist regime of Israel in the recent six months was held on September 17. The Israeli Regime's Central Election Committee has announced the final results of the 22^nd Knesset Election, with the Blue and White political alliance emerging victorious in the vote with a total of 33 parliamentary seats. In the meantime, Likud Party has gained 32 parliamentary seats. The remaining Zionist regime legislative election results are namely the Joint List Party with 13 seats, Shas Party with 9 seats, the so-called Israel Our Home Party with 8 seats, United Torah Judaism Party with 7 seats, Yamina Party led by Ayelet Shaked with 7 seats, Labor Party with 6 seats, and Democratic Union with 5 seats.

 Netanyahu's party in addition to wining 32 seats, is supported by Shas Party with 9 seats, United Torah Judaism Party with 7 seats, and Yamina Party with 7 seats, with leads to a total of 55 seats. On the other hand, Benny Gantz party, in addition to winning 33 seats, is supported by the Joint List, Labor Party with 6 seats, and Democratic Union Party with 5 seats, thereby having a total of 54 seats for the formation of the Cabinet. The Balad Arab Political Party which has won 3 seats, and the so-called Israel Our Home Party which has won 8 seats, have not supported Gantz or Netanyahu. As of the year 1949, within which the first legislative election was held in the occupied territories, none of the Zionist regime political parties have managed to gain 61 seats, on their own, and there has always been a coalition Cabinet.

The important point in relation to establishment of Cabinet in the Zionist regime is that the head of the Zionist regime does not necessarily instructs the victorious party to form the Cabinet. In fact, the head of the Zionist regime, based on the suggestions of leaders of parties which have gained entry to the Knesset, instructs an individual to form the Cabinet as the future premier. Benny Gantz has opposed Netanyahu's calls for formation of the unity Cabinet. The Joint Arab List which has won 13 seats, initially collectively supported Gantz in order to rise the total number of Gantz's party seats to 57. However, later the Balad Arab Political Party with 3 seats, which is one of the four Arab parties' alliance, announced that it is not prepared to support Gantz as the premier. Thus, Gantz's total seats dropped to 54 in numbers. This is while Netanyahu is backed by 55 members of Knesset. The last time that an Israeli regime politician came to power with the support of Arab parties was in the year 1992, within which the two Arab parties named Democratic Union Party, and Democratic Front for Peace and Equality Party backed the leftist Zionist regime premier, Isaac Robin, without taking part in the Cabinet.

Given these circumstances, Netanyahu has once again been instructed by the head of Zionist regime to form the Cabinet. Meanwhile, Netanyahu should form the new Zionist regime Cabinet within a 28-day deadline which can be extended for 14 days. Nonetheless, analysts and media believe that Gantz is assured of Netanyahu's inability to form the Cabinet.

Netanyahu faces a number of challenges in his bid to form the new Zionist regime Cabinet. Firstly, he has to win the support of Avigdor Lieberman, who leads Israel Our Home Party. This party won 5 seats in April 9 elections, but did not form a coalition Cabinet with Netanyahu, which highly contributed to the rise of seats of this party to 8 seats in September 17 election.

Lieberman disagrees with Netanyahu in a number of realms such as the military service of Orthodox Jews, and in contrast to Netanyahu's view, insists on the necessity of Orthodox Jews attending compulsory military service. Lieberman also notes that Netanyahu has wielded excessive powers, which has led to his corruption and thus should be put behind bars. Hence, Lieberman can be named as the main obstacle on the way of Netanyahu toward the premiership post and formation of the Cabinet.

Secondly, Gantz has rejected Netanyahu's offer for formation of a unity Cabinet twice. Media have referred to Blue and White political alliance, and Likud Party as two opposed and irreconcilable currents. Gantz is opposed to formation of a coalition Cabinet with Netanyahu because of the four corruption charges which have been leveled against the latter.

Thirdly, the number of Likud Party seats, in comparison to April 9 election has dropped by 4 seats and currently stands at 32 seats.

If Netanyahu fails to form the Cabinet within the 28-day deadline which can be extended for 14 days, the head of Zionist regime can instruct Gantz to form the new Cabinet. In the meantime, Netanyahu which has held the premiership post as of 2009 in the occupied territories knows his political impunity as the premier enables him to avoid conviction and imprisonment and will thereby try to hold a 3^rd election.

MR/MG