Netanyahu: Elections can be prevented, that Gantz overcomes Torch and Lieberman overcomes himself

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said in a briefing to reporters accompanying him in Portugal that he intends to "make a supreme effort to try to reach agreement and prevent elections." Netanyahu added that he was considering the idea of ​​direct elections and said that "it is getting interesting."

Netanyahu: Elections can be prevented, that Gantz overcomes Torch and Lieberman overcomes himself

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday refused to respond to the indictments in the submarine case and the possibility that a pardon deal would be drawn up for the indictments against him. During a briefing on reporters accompanying him in Portugal, Netanyahu did not address his legal and personal affairs, and regarding the submarine affair he said "what I had to say - I said."

Asked why he is not retiring despite his long career, the prime minister said: "There is more to do, the public chose me, let the public choose. You say the public does not want me tired - put it on the table." Speaking about the direct election promotion initiative, Netanyahu said he was considering the idea: "Let's try to prevent elections first, but it's an idea that is starting to be interesting."

Speaking about the political situation, Netanyahu said he plans to continue "to make a supreme effort, despite the opposition of Blue and White to try to reach agreement and prevent these elections. It depends on two people - Benny Gantz if Yair Lapid gets over and if Avigdor Lieberman overcomes himself."

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"The public has chosen me, let the public choose." Netanyahu (Photo: Reuters)

PM Benjamin Netanyahu during Prime Minister's Office Meeting, Jerusalem, December 1, 2019 (Photo: Reuters)

Netanyahu explained his demand to be first in rotation, saying that he is not interested in just six months - according to Likud's latest proposal: "I don't want six months I want two years. Being the first is the governing continuity, the thing that is required, because of my unique relationship with the president of the United States. "To realize this opportunity, I now have to be prime minister because you know what a child is today."

Commenting on opposition from a blue-and-white to sitting below, he said: "They said they did not want to sit under a prime minister with an indictment, they changed the law and changed democracy, and for the flexibility we agreed on the six months, which I don't happen to have and go to elections, it gives them the Blau's argument the most, and that wasn't accepted either. " In his remarks, Netanyahu mentioned the proposal of MK Shlomo Kari (Likud) now to go directly to the prime minister and not to the Knesset parties - and that the winner of the direct elections will receive an additional 10% parliamentary power. That is, another 12 special Knesset members will be divided by him Their lists.

However, Netanyahu refused to address questions about the Likud-led primaries and was unwilling to pledge that he would not act idle. "On Sunday we will enter the Likud Center and we will make a decision to cancel the primaries on the list. Only after that, so that we do not put a cure for Mecca, we will address the question of the primaries - not going to address it here."

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Lieberman (Photo: Reuven Castro)

Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avidor Lieberman during Yisrael Beiteinu Session November 18, 2019 (Photo: Reuven Castro)

Netanyahu wanted to speak mainly about his meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last night, which he said was "critical to Israel's security," and at its center stood the Iranian issue and the defense alliance with the United States. The prime minister said he and Pompeo agreed to advance the defense alliance issue. "I am aware of reservations and we will of course do this in full cooperation with the IDF and the security forces, and we will ensure full freedom of action of the State of Israel and the IDF." He addressed the opposition of senior security officials, saying "the concern is understandable at some level and can easily be answered."

According to Netanyahu, the agreement is already in the process of work and there is an initial draft submitted by a conservative research institute in the United States, called JINSA, which was also transferred to the United States. "This is one of the most important goals in the coming months - we decided to accelerate the defense of the Alliance," he said. Addressing opposition from Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz to the Alliance issue, Netanyahu said, "I told him this is a historic opportunity error, in a few months the United States will go deep into the elections and currently has a great opportunity to achieve this achievement." Also in the Jordan Valley annexation: "Obviously, it's easier if there is a government and not a transition government that is much more complex. We are looking for solutions - a government must be set up and move forward now."

Netanyahu and Pompeo, yesterday (Photo: Kobi Gideon, GPO)

PM Benjamin Netanyahu Meets with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, December 4, 2019 (Photo: Photo: Kobi Gideon, Government Press Bureau)

In response to Netanyahu's opposition to blue-white opposition to sitting below him, the party said that "Netanyahu is once again proving that he is a unity and the only obstacle to forming a government in Israel. Netanyahu wants an immunity and not a unity government. this".

(Update first: 19:59)