BICOM
20th May 2021
The UK media continues to be dominated by the ongoing escalation along the Gaza border.
BBC News reports that a senior Hamas official predicted Israel and the militant group would reach a ceasefire within the next two days.
The Times all report that US President Joe Biden has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to de-escalate tensions in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu rejected Bidenâs statement saying that while he âgreatly appreciates the support of the American president,â Israel was âdetermined to continue this operation until its aim is met, to return the calm and security to you, citizens of Israelâ.
Follow
May. 12, 2021
The negotiating teams of the parties that are seeking to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suspended coalition talks on Tuesday due to Israel s recent flare-up with Gaza.
There were a few phone conversations, mainly between the negotiators for Naftali Bennett s Yamina and Gideon Sa ar s New Hope, but no meetings have been scheduled.
There are still differences that must be resolved, but the developments in the Gaza Strip are overshadowing political considerations.
Yamina seems disinclined to sign any coalition agreements until the intentions of United Arab List Chairman Mansour Abbas become clear. The leader of the Islamist party has suspended negotiations with the bloc that hopes to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Moreover, it is not yet clear if it is feasible to establish a government under the current circumstances.
Get email notification for articles from Jonathan Lis
Follow
May. 7, 2021 4:00 PM
Right-wing Yamina leader Naftali Bennett and centrist Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid held two meetings on Friday, in a bid to expedite talks on a unity government that could see Benjamin Netanyahu replaced as prime minister.
After Netanyahu missed his Tuesday deadline, the president tasked Lapid this week with forming a government, giving him 28 days to do so. Together with Bennett, he hopes to secure majority backing before that time elapses, but their main challenge is getting parties from across the political spectrum to agree to the same basic guidelines.
Get email notification for articles from Jonathan Lis
Follow
May. 6, 2021 3:39 PM
The 28-day stopwatch began running on Wednesday for the parties seeking to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after Israeli President Reuven Rivlin awarded Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid a mandate to form a government and rescue Israel from the political mire of the last two years. Lapid and Yamina leader Naftali Bennett are now determined to do whatever it takes to enable them, each in his own turn, to fulfill their dreams of being prime minister.
To get there they will need to close the yawning gaps separating the left and right, to create a functioning government and stay in office until 2025, when they can go to the voters with a record of achievement and the popularity that comes with it.