Israel will not hold another general election "if we see a change of attitude and some cooperation from Blue and White and cooperation, rather than a government within a government," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday.
In a speech at Ben-Gurion International Airport during an event to mark the first flights to Israel of Emirati air carrier flydubai, Netanyahu said, "Everyone understands that this is leading to an election. I would prefer to concentrate on what we're doing: peace agreements, and bringing [COVID] vaccines to Israel."
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Netanyahu addressed reports that Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz, who is head of Blue and White, had claimed in confidential talks that Netanyahu would not honor the rotation agreement. On Monday, Netanyahu attacked Gantz for the latter's decision to convene a governmental committee of inquiry into the submarines affair, saying, "This is a disgrace. No defense minister has ever made such an egregious use of the IDF."
Blue and White issued a statement responding to the prime minister's remarks: "The one who is violating agreements, holding up appointment, and preventing a state budget from being passed for months out of political and personal motives is Benjamin Netanyahu.
"There is a reason why in every poll, a decisive majority of the public blames Netanyahu for most likely taking us into an election – because it's the truth. If there were no trial, there would be a budget," Blue and White said.
The Likud clarified: "Prime Minister Netanyahu thinks that there is no reason to hold an election, but said that if Blue and White continues to run a government within a government, they will cause Israel to hold another election."
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