Lapid, Gantz Refuse Proposal to Join Netanyahu’s Govt

From left, the presidents of Guinea, France and Israel at the climate summit in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh (AFP)
From left, the presidents of Guinea, France and Israel at the climate summit in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh (AFP)
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Lapid, Gantz Refuse Proposal to Join Netanyahu’s Govt

From left, the presidents of Guinea, France and Israel at the climate summit in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh (AFP)
From left, the presidents of Guinea, France and Israel at the climate summit in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh (AFP)

Israel’s Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Defense Minister Benny Gantz announced their rejection of forming a national unity government led by Benjamin Netanyahu.

Informed sources said that forming a unity government is the best way out for Israel from having a far-right government, which will inevitably involve it in clashes with western countries and with the American Democratic Party and US President Joe Biden’s administration.

Netanyahu's allies from the far-right, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich are imposing conditions on the government that could cause a major shift in the political and security situation.

Among their proposals are canceling the separation plan in the northern West Bank, rebuilding four abandoned settlements, and expanding the settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, as well as enacting a law that prevents the judiciary and the Supreme Court from repealing laws.

They also call for adopting a stricter policy in dealing with the Arab citizens of Israel, canceling the privileges agreed upon with the Palestinian prisoners, and imposing Israeli sovereignty over the settlements and others.

The sources said that Netanyahu had expected his allies to practice political blackmail before forming the government, but he was surprised by the extent of these demands.

He told the press that he “does not rule out forming a government with the Liberals and even with the United Arab List, led by MK Mansour Abbas.”

The sources noted that the proposal would be a kind of threat and intimidation to these allies.

Meanwhile, several media outlets reported Tuesday that President Isaac Herzog has spoken with incoming prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Lapid and Gantz to encourage them to form a broad national unity government.

Sources told Ynet that Herzog met with Lapid and Gantz to urge them to join Netanyahu's next government and prevent the participation of far-right lawmakers.

But Herzog’s office denied the reports, saying that there had not been any such contact with party leaders.

“The president did not approach or suggest to the party chiefs that they join this or that government,” his office said.

Lapid and Gantz also said there had been no such contact from the president.

“The government I am leading has lost the elections. Whoever believes in Israeli democracy when he wins, must also believe in it when he loses,” Lapid said, stressing that there is no way he or Gantz would join the incoming government.

Gantz’s National Unity, for its part, affirmed that Gantz will join the opposition.

“Israel is facing many challenges, including dealing with a new government, which is reliant on far-right Knesset members,” the statement read.

“We have decided to continue to solidify the National Unity camp as a meaningful movement in the center of Israel's politics. We respect the decision of voters and once a new government is sworn in, we will serve in the opposition in a responsible manner.”

Netanyahu had expressed his delight over the phone call by Biden, who congratulated him on his election victory.

After the call, Netanyahu wrote on Twitter that he told Biden they can “achieve more peace agreements and deal with the threat of Iranian aggression.”

“President Biden called me and congratulated me on winning the elections. He affirmed that the alliance between Israel and the United States is stronger than ever. And I thanked him for his personal friendship that extended for 40 years and his commitment to the State of Israel.”

According to the Likud party, Biden told Netanyahu during the 8-minute call that his commitment to Israel is “unquestionable.”



Aid to Gaza 'Facing Total Collapse', Warn 12 NGOs

 A Palestinian boy looks through a hole in the wall into a damaged room after an Israeli strike on a school housing displaced Palestinians in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on April 17, 2025. (AFP)
A Palestinian boy looks through a hole in the wall into a damaged room after an Israeli strike on a school housing displaced Palestinians in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on April 17, 2025. (AFP)
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Aid to Gaza 'Facing Total Collapse', Warn 12 NGOs

 A Palestinian boy looks through a hole in the wall into a damaged room after an Israeli strike on a school housing displaced Palestinians in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on April 17, 2025. (AFP)
A Palestinian boy looks through a hole in the wall into a damaged room after an Israeli strike on a school housing displaced Palestinians in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on April 17, 2025. (AFP)

The humanitarian aid system in Gaza is "facing total collapse" because of Israel's blockade on aid supplies since March 2, the heads of 12 major aid organizations warned Thursday, urging Israel to let them "do our jobs".

Israel has vowed to maintain its blockage on humanitarian aid to the war-ravaged territory, saying it is the only way to force Hamas to release the 58 hostages still held there.

"Every single person in Gaza is relying on humanitarian aid to survive," the chief executives of 12 NGOs, including Oxfam and Save the Children, wrote in a joint statement.

"That lifeline has been completely cut off since a blockade on all aid supplies was imposed by Israeli authorities on March 2," they said, adding that "This is one of the worst humanitarian failures of our generation."

A survey of 43 international and Palestinian aid organizations working in Gaza found that almost all have suspended or drastically cut services since a ceasefire ended on March 18, "with widespread and indiscriminate bombing making it extremely dangerous to move around", the NGOs said.

"Famine is not just a risk, but likely rapidly unfolding in almost all parts of Gaza," they said. "Survival itself is now slipping out of reach and the humanitarian system is at breaking point."

"We call on all parties to guarantee the safety of our staff and to allow the safe, unfettered access of aid into and across Gaza through all entry points, and for world leaders to oppose further restrictions."

Israel's renewed assault has killed at least 1,691 people in Gaza, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, bringing the overall toll since the war erupted to 51,065, most of them civilians.

Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, also mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.