A senior Likud official involved in the negotiations for a unity government with Blue and White said Sunday that Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria would be a condition for the establishment of a unity government.
According to the official, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would not forgo the plan on which he has worked with the Trump administration for three years, which is a reflection of the political positions he has held for decades. The official said that the parties were still far apart on the issue, but "we will not give in, even at the price of not forming a government."
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Blue and White officials told Israel Hayom that there were differences of principle between the parties.
"Blue and White agreed that an emergency government is needed, but not at any price," one party official said Sunday.
Another Blue and White official said that Blue and White leader Benny Gantz "supports the Trump plan, the prime minister knows very well that Blue and White will support any responsible plan on this issue."
On Sunday, the My Israel movement, which promotes pro-Zionist activity online, launched a campaign targeting Gantz and his Blue and White co-founder Gabi Ashkenazi, accusing them of intentionally holding up the coalition negotiations to keep Israel from applying sovereignty.
The message, which is running on social media platforms under the title "A unity government is not a minority government," states: "Gantz and Ashkenazi, the window of opportunity is short, sovereignty is in danger, and you don't know it. 15 seats is not a majority. 58 are. You are a minority. If your plan is to prevent a historic move -- there will not be a unity government."
Head of My Israel, Sara Haetzni-Cohen, said, "If it's a choice between sovereignty or a unity government, we opt for sovereignty. Gantz and Ashkenazi are trying to force their minority opinion on the coalition majority, which does support the historic move. They both realize that there is a very short window of opportunity, and they intend to drag it out, intentionally hoping to miss the boat, so Israel will not be able to move toward the sovereignty we have longed for."
In addition, the Officers for Victory Forum has put out a new video in which retired senior IDF commanders share their professional views on the Trump administration's "deal of the century" and the opportunity it offers for Israel to apply sovereignty to Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley.
The video says that the Trump plan "changes the equation -- Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley go from burdens to assets."
On Friday, Netanyahu and Gantz met at the Prime Minister's Residence, sitting two meters (six feet) apart, in an attempt to reach solutions. According to people involved in the negotiations, the most urgent issue to be solved is that of Israel applying sovereignty. The Likud wants the matter addressed immediately, while Blue and White want international agreement for such a move.
At the end of the meeting, Netanyahu and Gantz put out a joint message which said the talks had been "to the point and had secured understandings and progress. The two instructed their negotiating teams to try and reach agreements as soon as possible that would allow for a coalition agreement between the Likud and Blue and White."
As of Sunday, it appeared that Blue and White would receive the Foreign Ministry portfolio, although they would like to trade it for the education portfolio, currently assigned to Yamina.
