If the desire matures for contacts, despite the events of the week, Netanyahu intends to abolish privacy, a step that will give Gantz the full powers of the Prime Minister • Interpretation
Netanyahu and Getz // Photo: Olivia Fitoussi Flash 90
A few days before the end of the mandate, and after the unnecessary occurrence at the cabinet meeting and the folding that followed, a doc of optimism was once again cast on the faces of Netanyahu's people.
It is not clear whether there is a basis for this or not, but it seems that behind the scenes Netanyahu did not say the last word and he intends to use every hour he has left to fight back a hair-raising war to all the other bloc's attempts to form a coalition on the other side.
It seems that after the events of the cabinet meeting, Gideon Saar's option was dropped.
Not first in rotation and not shoes.
Saar does not want to hear from Netanyahu and is not interested in doing any business with him.
The conclusion he reached is that Netanyahu will embitter the lives of everyone who sits with him, whether above or below him, will veto, take advantage of the built-in majority he has in the government and the Knesset, and will not allow a quiet life, even as an alternate prime minister.
The only options left for Netanyahu, at least on paper, are Bnei Gantz and Bezalel Smutrich.
Gantz did not completely rule out the possibility of re-cooperating with Netanyahu, with the price tag, of course, being a premiere in rotation.
Among the possible candidates for rotation, Netanyahu prefers Ganz.
He does not trust Bennett or Assault to get him back in office in due course.
On Gantz yes.
If the desire matures for contacts, despite what happened this week, Netanyahu intends to lead with Ganz a move to abolish the privatization mechanism, which will give Ganz the full powers of the prime minister.
Netanyahu will have a majority - but Gantz will have the authority to fire ministers.
Such an arrangement will ensure dialogue and cooperation, with each one being able to hold each other's throats.
In addition to Gantz, the coalition will appoint 60 MKs. According to senior officials involved, there is one MK from one of the other parties who has already announced that he will join in such a case.
If this is indeed the case, such a coalition will appoint 61 seats.
In the worst case, it will be possible to add Bennett to the coalition of 67 MKs.
Ganz announced in a television interview that the next government would demand the justice case.
Netanyahu will not agree to this in any way.
The proposal on their part is that the minister be from the Likud, and with the consent of Ganz.
It seems that the candidates are Gila Gamliel and Yoav Galant, as ones that Netanyahu and Gantz will be able to agree to.
Netanyahu's second option is to put massive pressure in recent days on Bezalel Smutrich, who will agree to sit in a government that will be sworn in in the absence of the Prime Minister. It seems far-fetched, but in the last day it seems to possible Likud elements. There is a softening of Smutrich in the matter or a new formula that no one has thought of so far.
On the other hand, Bennett, Saar and Lapid are working hard on the formation of the alternative government, the one they will try to establish if Netanyahu is forced to return the mandate this week.
The parties all convey determination.
The parties have been working for hours on end, and many agreements have been reached so far, but many disagreements have also arisen.
It is already clear that the "private plus one" mechanism that Bennett demanded will not happen.
This government will have equality in the cabinet and the government and a veto right for the prime minister, an important matter when most of the ministers around the cabinet table are associated with the left.
There will be no reform of the judicial system, nor will the promotion of settlement-related issues.
As compensation, the right-wing faction will hold a new and right-wing hope in cases that are important to the right-wing public: law, education and religions.
The full column - tomorrow in "Israel This Week"