Senior officials in the Yisrael Beitenu party and the Blue & White party seem to be in agreement on Monday, that an agreement will not be signed between the two parties.

According to a KAN Chadashot report, Yisrael Beitenu is not interested in signing an agreement without knowing there will be a coalition government. Yisrael Beitenu is willing to agree on guidelines for a coalition and to have those guidelines publicized, but it is not going to sign on an agreement without the knowledge other parties will join and a coalition government can be formed.

It is now clear to Blue & White negotiators that without a breakthrough, there will not be a coalition agreement, as on Monday, only 17 days remain to present a new government before the presidential mandate expires.

Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz announced on Monday that only two options remain; a national unity coalition government or a third round of elections. Katz calls on Blue & White Chairman MK Benny Gantz to accept the plan presented by President Reuven Rivlin without boycotting or disqualifying anyone – for if not, Israel is headed for yet another round of elections.

Katz also rejected allegations that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu wants to head to another round of elections, stating, “I know firsthand this is not the case”.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)