Disunity Coalition   

At the same time, in Benny Gantz’s Blue and White party almost every person on the party list will become a minister. The few who won’t will still find themselves holding key positions in the Knesset.

Though it’s being called a unity government, it will be a coalition characterized by extreme distrust. This was on display in the letter Gantz appended to the document appointing Netanyahu to form a government. Gantz clarified that his party members’ signatures were only valid for the unity government. What’s more, all Blue and White’s members stated that they were approving the coalition deal, but did not endorse Netanyahu personally. This was intended to prevent Netanyahu from pulling a last-minute stunt in which he would use Blue and White’s approval to form a narrow government without them.

In a surprise development, Yamina chairman Naftali Bennett announced on Sunday that he would not join the Gantz-Netanyahu coalition. In a statement, he castigated Netanyahu for his “blatant disdain for right-wing voters.” He further termed the new government left-wing, and claimed it will sacrifice the priorities of nationalist voters. “[Our party] will be tough but responsible [in the] opposition,” Bennet said. “[The party] will support … applying sovereignty,” provided such a move does not recognize a Palestinian state.

But even Bennett’s fellow party members did not endorse his move, a sign that things may change in the coming days. Yamina co-leader and former justice minister Ayelet Shaked has already made it clear to Likud officials that her door is still open for negotiations.