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Israel awaits its two prime ministers

Having made the toughest decision of his life, Benny Gantz is about to enter a unity government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
A labourer walks past electoral campaign posters bearing the portraits of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L), leader of the Likud party, and retired Israeli general Benny Gantz (R), one of the leaders of the Blue and White (Kahol Lavan) political alliance, in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, on April 3, 2019, ahead of the general election scheduled for April 9. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP)        (Photo credit should read JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

For the first time since Israel’s establishment in 1948, the country will soon be ruled by two prime ministers: the first, Benjamin Netanyahu, will be the active prime minister over the coming 18 months, while the second, Benjamin “Benny” Gantz will be the “designated prime minister in rotation” and replace Netanyahu in September or October 2021. Both Benjamins will enjoy the same government perks: an official residence underwritten by the government, a fleet of official automobiles, a Shin Bet security detail and more.

To prevent Netanyahu from reneging on the rotation agreement and actually allowing Gantz to assume the premiership, an unprecedented “rotation law” will codify the process and put it on automatic pilot. When voting on the government, Knesset members will authorize the process, including blocking the possibility of changing it. Netanyahu and Gantz will both be sworn in as prime minister, the only difference being that one will begin work immediately and the other one later.

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