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Israel's Netanyahu, Gantz agree emergency unity government

Israel's Netanyahu, Gantz agree emergency unity government

Benjamin Netanyahu, Reuven Rivlin and Benny Gantz

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and one-time rival parliament speaker Benny Gantz reached a deal on Monday to form an emergency unity government, ending the country's worst political crisis.

"An agreement for the establishment of a national emergency government is now being signed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White (alliance) chairman... Benny Gantz," a joint statement said.

Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving premier and head of the right-wing Likud party, and Gantz failed to form a government after threeinconclusive elections over the past year.

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Neither had secured enough support to form a viable governing coalition in any of the votes.

As the COVID-19 epidemic intensified following the last election on March 2, calls mounted for them to unite and offer the country a rare period of political calm as it battles an unprecedented health crisis.

After being mandated to form a government by President Reuven Rivlin, Gantz was elected speaker of Israel's parliament, the Knesset, last month in a surprise move.

(With inputs from AFP)

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