Netanyahu Says Disappointed By Opposition Leader Not Responding to Call for Meeting
Israeli Prime Minister and Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that he was disappointed that Benny Gantz, the leader of the country's main opposition party, Blue and White, had still not responded to his proposal to discuss establishing a unity government
Earlier in the day, Netanyahu called on Gantz to meet in an effort to establish a coalition government as no party won a majority in the recent general election. Gantz called for a unity government on Wednesday but said he would not join forces with Netanyahu since the prime minister was facing corruption charges.
"I am surprised and disappointed by the fact that Benny Gantz still refuses to respond to the call for the meeting," Netanyahu wrote on his Twitter, adding that the unity government could not be formed without the leaders of the biggest parties meeting.
On Tuesday, Israel held a general election to its 120-seat unicameral parliament, the Knesset. According to official election results released on Wednesday after 98 percent of votes were counted, Blue and White has secured 33 seats, and Netanyahu's Likud has won 31.