On the way to a new government? Tonight (Friday), News 12 published the “Bloc of Change” plan, as the bloc is known for replacing Netanyahu, for the establishment of an alternative government that they call a “national healing government” that will serve for a year.
According to the report, the emerging prime minister will be rotated by right-wing chairman Naftali Bennett and Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid, with the two-party settlement yet to be determined. The coalition will be composed of 52 MKs from the Yesh Atid, Right, New Hope, Yisrael Beiteinu and Labor parties, and will be based on the abstention or support of some Arab Knesset members and Meretz.
The plan also includes the transfer of the budget, a waiver of legislation that would prevent a criminal defendant from serving as prime minister and later a possible merger of the ultra-Orthodox parties.
It was further reported that Bennett and Saar met yesterday and the two discussed the possibility of giving Bennett the premiere. In addition, it was reported that Netanyahu sent emissaries to Saar and promised that if Saar entered the government, he, Netanyahu, would retire within a year. Saar declined the offer.
Earlier today, the chairman of the Yesh Atid party, Yair Lapid, met with the chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, Avigdor Lieberman. The two discussed the possibility of forming a government, in light of last night’s election results, and agreed that talks would continue soon.
Bennett also announced today that in the last two days he has held an initial round of talks with the leaders of the Likud parties, Yesh Atid, Shas, Religious Zionism, New Hope, Blue and White, Torah Judaism, Labor, Yisrael Beiteinu and Meretz. Bennett congratulated the party leaders The “need to act in a state and responsible manner in order to rescue Israel from the chaos and return the country to normal functioning as quickly as possible.”