Benny Gantz

World / Politics May 18, 2020

Israel swears in unity government as Netanyahu insists on West Bank annexation

After more than 500 days without a stable government and three inconclusive elections, lawmakers have approved a three-year coalition.

World / Crime & Legal Jan 29, 2020

Netanyahu formally charged with graft after dropping immunity bid

by Alexandra Vardi

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was Tuesday formally charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust, the justice ministry said, shortly after the embattled politician dropped his request for parliamentary immunity. The indictment came as Netanyahu was in Washington for a meeting with President Donald ...

World Jan 16, 2020

First Gaza rockets fired against Israel since Qassem Soleimani killing

The Israeli military said four rockets were fired Wednesday from Hamas-controlled Gaza, the first since Israel's ally the U.S. killed top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani. "Four rockets were just fired from Gaza at Israel. Two rockets were intercepted mid-air by the Iron Dome aerial defence ...

World / Politics Jan 6, 2020

Israel's opposition seeks swift end to Netanyahu immunity bid

The Israeli opposition pushed Sunday for parliament to swiftly address Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's immunity request, potentially speeding up the embattled leader's appearance in court. Netanyahu announced his bid for immunity just two months before the March 2 general election, with opponents slamming the move ...

World / Politics Oct 22, 2019

Netanyahu says he's unable to form Israel government, allowing opponent to try

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed Israel's president Monday he could not form a new government following deadlocked September elections, making way for his opponent Benny Gantz to try. The decision was an important defeat for Netanyahu as he seeks to continue his tenure as Israel's ...

World / Politics Sep 30, 2019

Netanyahu and Benny Gantz trade blame over breakdown in Israel coalition talks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his rival, Benny Gantz, traded blame Sunday over the failure so far of efforts to reach a unity government deal following deadlocked elections. A new round of negotiations between Netanyahu's right-wing Likud and Gantz's centrist Blue and White broke ...

World / Politics Sep 26, 2019

Weakened Netanyahu tapped by Israel's president to form new government

Israel's president tasked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday with assembling a new government after power-sharing talks with his strongest rival, Benny Gantz, failed following an inconclusive election. But right-wing Likud party chief Netanyahu, facing a looming indictment on corruption allegations he denies, still has ...

World / Politics Sep 23, 2019

Galvanized Arab voters display their newfound influence in Israeli politics

Israel's long-marginalized Arab minority is throwing around its newfound weight. The Joint List of Arab parties, significantly strengthened by Israel's inconclusive Sept. 17 election, recommended Sunday that former military chief Benny Gantz form Israel's next government. Its backing could nudge President Reuven Rivlin to tap ...

World / Politics Sep 16, 2019

Israel approves new settlement two days before polls in apparent Netanyahu overture to right-wing voters

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government approved a new settlement in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, two days ahead of a closely fought election as he seeks to boost turnout among his right-wing base. The approval came as Netanyahu and his main opponent, Benny ...

World / Politics Apr 10, 2019

Netanyahu claims 'colossal victory' after close contest in Israel, but graft charges could spoil party

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secured a clear path to re-election on Wednesday, with religious-rightist parties set to hand him a parliamentary majority despite a close contest against his main centrist challenger, a vote tally showed. With more than 97 percent of votes counted, Netanyahu's ...