JERUSALEM (AP) - Israel's main opposition leader urged its long-serving prime minister on Monday to seal a coalition deal ahead of a looming midnight deadline or risk dragging the country toward unprecedented fourth straight elections in just over a year amid the coronavirus outbreak.
With the country embroiled in more than a year of political stalemate, Benny Gantz, the former military chief and head of the Blue and White party, delivered a stern message to Benjamin Netanyahu, pleading with him to finalize what appeared to be promising coalition talks that have faltered in recent days.
"Netanyahu, this is our moment of truth. It's either an emergency national government or, heaven forbid, expensive and unnecessary fourth elections during a crisis. History will not forgive either of us if we run away," he said.
In a tweet shortly after, Netanyahu invited Gantz to his residence to "meet and sign this evening" on a deal.
FILE - In this Saturday, March 7, 2020 file photo, Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz delivers a statement in Tel Aviv, Israel. Israel's President Reuven Rivlin on Sunday, March 15 said he has decided to give Gantz the first opportunity to form a new government following an inconclusive national election this month. Rivlin's office announced his decision late Sunday after consulting with leaders of all of the parties elected to parliament. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner, File)Israel last month held its third straight election in less than a year, after the previous two ended inconclusively. While the March vote also ended with no clear winner, Gantz was tasked by Israel's ceremonial president with forming a government and has until midnight Monday to do so.
If he fails, Israel's Knesset will have three weeks to select a candidate for prime minister. And if that too doesn't succeed, Israel will head to extraordinary fourth polls in just over a year.
With the country led by a caretaker government and hobbled by legislative paralysis since the first election was called in late 2018, a fourth vote would extend the political crisis at a time when the country is dealing with its coronavirus outbreak.
Gantz and Netanyahu have throughout the repeated campaigns professed an eagerness for unity, but Gantz had said he refused to sit under Netanyahu in a government so long as he faces corruption charges.