Benjamin Netanyahu, Yuli Edelstein call for unity in Likud
This is the first statement Edelstein issued since Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit announced Netanyahu's indictment.
By GIL HOFFMANBenjamin Netanyahu and Yuli Edelstein at swearing in of 21st Knesset(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
Hopes that Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein could lead a rebellion against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were dashed on Tuesday when the two men met and issued a positive joint statement together."We are calling for unity in Likud," Netanayhu and Edelstein said. "There is a need to lower the flames, avoid splitting and internal fighting and stand together united against the challenges facing the party and the country."This is the first statement Edelstein issued since Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit announced Netanyahu's indictment.Edelstein told reporters after the meeting that he is working in every way possible to promote a unity government. "The time has come for a responsible adult who will prevent a third election."Channel 12 reported that a compromise was being considered by which Netanayhu would remain prime minister for another five to six months followed by Gantz for two years and then the leader of Likud for the remaining one and a half years.Meanwhile, Likud MK Miki Zohar discussed the possibility of avoiding another round of elections: "The only scenario where we will not have elections is if [Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor] Liberman will compromise with the ultra-Orthodox and come to an understanding with them, if he so, we will have a right-wing government of 63 Knesset members. Any other scenario is hopeless and the odds of this one happening I assume has about 10% chance.""If we have another round of elections the Right will lose. This time we come to the elections as underdogs," Zohar claimed.
