What can be done about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu? Israel’s entire political system and, as a result, the entire country itself is being held hostage by the prime minister. If he agrees to step down of his own volition, in a matter of minutes the country would break free from its current deadlock. The Likud would then be able to form a unity government with the Blue and White party, including a rotation agreement between Blue and White leader Benny Gantz and whoever takes over from Netanyahu. On the other hand, as long as he insists on clutching at the proverbial altar and holding on as tightly as he can, everything is stuck at a standstill.
As described here in an earlier Al-Monitor article, President Reuven Rivlin took the crisis on himself and launched a dramatic initiative that could have offered a creative solution. His proposal had Netanyahu and Gantz forming a coalition government with rotation. Netanyahu would serve first as prime minister, but under warning that as soon as he is indicted, he would become incapacitated. This would require the Basic Law of Governance to be amended quickly, and the term "incapacitated" would be redefined so that it could last for an unlimited amount of time. At the same time, the position of deputy prime minister would be defined by law as someone with all the authority of a serving prime minister in the event the prime minister is incapacitated. These changes would allow Netanyahu to continue serving as prime minister if indicted, with the title and all the dignity that comes with it, while Gantz would assume all the authority of the prime minister and effectively manage the state as long as Netanyahu’s trial continues. Once Netanyahu’s term is over, the rotation would take place and Gantz would assume the title of prime minister too, while Netanyahu would become deputy prime minister, but with none of the authority.
