Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz, the leader of the Blue and White Party, warned that what would happen in Israel if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won the Knesset election, which began earlier today, Tuesday.
Gantz tweeted on his twitter page: “We are fighting for survival for justice and democracy in Israel.”
He added that if Netanyahu wins, he will appoint a member of the “clergy” as justice minister, referring to the Likud party leader’s alliance with extremist religious parties.
He said: “If the 61-seat immunity bloc wins, the attorney general, Avichai Mandelblit, will be ousted, the prosecutor will be replaced and the trial will be adjourned.”
In a tweet, Gantz told voters: “Vote for ‘blue and white’ to preserve Israel’s democracy and the rule of law.”
Netanyahu’s coalition deal with Gantz collapsed last December when the prime minister failed to pass a state budget and the Knesset automatically dissolved, triggering Tuesday’s elections. Gantz has vowed never again to partner with Netanyahu. The prime minister may be hoping, however, that he can woo defectors from Gantz’s and/or other parties that have vowed not to sit in government with him, including the New Hope party led by former Likud minister Gideon Sa’ar.
Members of Likud and of the Religious Zionism alliance have said they will seek to advance legislation to try to suspend or halt his trial, though he has said he will not support it. The near-deadlocked election result, if borne out in the final tallies, would reduce the likelihood of such legislation winning Knesset approval.