Israel's president to tap Netanyahu rival Gantz to form government -statement
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Israel's president said on Sunday he will tap Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's rival Benny Gantz to try to form new government after a repeat election in March, according to an official statement.
Gantz, a former general, had earlier in the day won support from two key parties in his bid to oust right-wing Netanyahu, who is Israel's longest-serving leader.
"Tomorrow, around midday, the president will assign the task of forming the government to head of (centrist Blue and White party) Benny Gantz," President Reuven Rivlin's office said in a statement.
Photo: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech from his Jerusalem office on Saturday, March 14, 2020, saying Israel's restaurants and places of entertainment will be closed to stop the spread of the coronavirus. He also encouraged people not to go to their workplaces unless absolutely necessary. (Gali Tibbon/Pool via AP)