Against the background of the coalition crisis, the substitute Prime Minister Bnei Gantz referred in an interview to "Meet the Press" to the possibility that Israel will go to the polls • "I met with Gadi Izenkot"

• Bnei Gantz (Archive)

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  Oren Ben Hakon

"There are two people who may want elections - Netanyahu and Lapid," the replacement Prime Minister and Defense Minister Bnei Gantz said tonight (Saturday) in an interview with the "Meet the Press" program on News 12. 

Against the background of the coalition crisis and the fear of further elections, Gantz stressed that he would not compromise regarding the budget crisis. "To stabilize the government, a plan for 2020-2021 is needed, neither a holiday budget nor a budget for the weekend, a budget for an entire year," Ganz said. "That is what we understand. By the way, all the best economists tell this story so we insist. I will not give up".

Regarding the public outrage against the prime minister and against him, he said: "I understand the hatred towards Netanyahu. I understand the disappointment from me." 

"Netanyahu has very, very big personal and legal challenges," Ganz referred to Netanyahu's considerations. "He makes additional accounts that I do not have. I guess he has personal and political considerations for which he wants elections. There can be no one who cares about the state and sees what is happening here will come to the conclusion that what suits her is elections."

On the initiative to advance the legislation that would prevent a prime minister accused of crimes, Ganz said: "It is impossible at the moment to advance it within the framework of the coalition agreement within which we are."

However, Ganz added: "Relations (with Netanyahu) are good, it is clear what we disagree on. I did not enter the government for Prime Minister Netanyahu."

Regarding the rise in the polls of his former partner, MK Yair Lapid, chairman of Yesh Atid-TLM, Ganz said: "I do not see Yair Lapid as the next prime minister of the State of Israel."

Ganz referred to reports of a possible entry of former chief of staff Gadi Izenkot into political life: "I met with Izenkot, the talks between us will remain between us."

Ganz also referred to the disaster that befell Lebanon this week and clarified that Israel was not involved in the incident: "God forbid, a disaster happened in Beirut that we have no touch on. The biggest threat to Lebanon is Hezbollah. The State of Israel must be willing to offer humanitarian aid at this difficult time. "The most powerful and moral state in the region. We are ready to put aside hatred, there is a great human moment here."