Foreign
Israel’s Netanyahu, Gantz present unity govt, hail crisis’ end

Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu and his former rival Benny Gantz hailed the end of an unprecedented one-and-a-half-year political crisis on Sunday 17th May, 2020 as they presented their long-awaited unity government. adsbygoogle || []). push({});
“This is an important day for the state of Israel,” Netanyahu told the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, hours before he would be sworn in and start a fourth consecutive term in office, and one week before his corruption trial is set to start in a Jerusalem court.
On May 7, Israel’s top court rejected petitions against the indicted premier starting a fifth term in office, removing the final obstacle for the unity government and cementing the 70-year-old’s reputation as a political wizard, who survives against all odds.
“The time has come to extend the Israeli law over (Israel’s) settlements (in the occupied West Bank) and to start a new chapter in the history of Zionism,” Netanyahu said, a step that would bring peace with the Palestinians “closer” and be carried out with the approval of the U.S.
Former military chief Gantz justified his “difficult decision” to break his vow never to serve with the indicted Netanyahu, saying the choice had been “either unity, or kind of civil war”.
The two men were greeted by loud heckling by opposition lawmakers, one of whom was ushered out of the Knesset by security.
The festive parliament session – delayed twice in the past week – followed three inconclusive elections in a year.
The last of those was on March 2 – after which neither right-wing Likud party leader Netanyahu, nor centrist Blue and White alliance leader Gantz had proved able to muster a majority for a governing coalition.
Gantz broke his long-time vow never to serve with the indicted Netanyahu.
He said Israel needed a stable government to tackle the coronavirus pandemic and its economic fallout and could not afford a fourth election.
Netanyahu, the longest-serving prime minister in Israeli history – will share the premiership on a rotating basis with Gantz.
Netanyahu will be the first to head the biggest government in Israel’s history for a period of 18 months.
He told parliament that Gantz would replace him on Nov. 17, 2021.
While Netanyahu is premier, Gantz is to serve as “alternate prime minister” – a new, specially created title – and defence minister.
Netanyahu met members of his Likud almost up until the start of the Knesset session, completing the distribution of portfolios only shortly before.
His trial on charges of corruption is set to begin on Sunday, May 24. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Incoming opposition leader Yair Lapid slammed the unprecedented size – at least 34, and up to 36 ministers – of the government as wasteful, as more than a quarter of Israel’s working population had filed for unemployment benefits amid the coronavirus lockdown.
“You can place one minister next to the bed of each coronavirus patient,” he said cynically.
Credit: dpa/NAN
Author Profile

- Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media and ICT Consultant, Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
Latest entries
ReligiousNovember 5, 2023The Idea of African Time is Embarrassing Africa – Imam Aliagan
NewsOctober 27, 2023NGIJ Mourn Demise Of Tukuwei Perry, Says Journalist Death A Great Loss
NewsAugust 29, 2023Insecurity: Gombe Governor Orders Immediate Closure Of All Gala Houses In The State
NewsAugust 16, 2023Full List of The New Ministers and Their Portfolio
Foreign
Niger Coup: EU Suspends Budget Support, Security Cooperation

The European Union (EU) says it has suspended its financial support and cooperation on security with Niger with immediate effect following the military coup in the country. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); adsbygoogle || []).push({});
This was disclosed in a statement by the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
The coup leaders declared General Abdourahamane Tiani as head of state on Friday, ousting President Mohamed Bazoum.
The EU, the United States, and other countries have called for the unconditional release of Bazoum from detention and the restoration of democratic order in the country.
“In addition to the immediate cessation of budget support, all cooperation actions in the domain of security are suspended indefinitely with immediate effect,” Borrell said.
Niger is a major recipient of Western aid and a key partner of the European Union in helping contain irregular migration from sub-Saharan Africa.
The EU also has a small number of troops in Niger for a military training mission.
According to its website, the European bloc has allocated 503 million euros ($554 million) from its budget in the areas of governance, education and sustainable growth in Niger between 2021and 2024.
Author Profile
Latest entries
NewsNovember 6, 2023Another Massive Plan By APC To Rig Kogi Election Uncovered!
Food and AgricultureAugust 1, 2023Food Security: FG Started The Distribution of Subsidised Farm Inputs to Small Holder Farmers
PoliticsAugust 1, 2023PEPC: PDP Atiku Appears As Parties Set To Adopt Written Addresses
NewsJuly 31, 2023Here Is What Falana Says About The NLC Planned August 2nd Strike
Foreign
Niger Coup: Nigeria-Niger Freinship Association Seeks For External Intervention

Author Profile

- Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media and ICT Consultant, Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
Latest entries
ReligiousNovember 5, 2023The Idea of African Time is Embarrassing Africa – Imam Aliagan
NewsOctober 27, 2023NGIJ Mourn Demise Of Tukuwei Perry, Says Journalist Death A Great Loss
NewsAugust 29, 2023Insecurity: Gombe Governor Orders Immediate Closure Of All Gala Houses In The State
NewsAugust 16, 2023Full List of The New Ministers and Their Portfolio
Foreign
UK Suspends Flights With UAE, Burundi, Rwanda Over COVID-19 From Friday – Official

The United Kingdom Official said it has added three more countries to its “red list,” banning flights to and from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Burundi and Rwanda over the spread of the Coronavirus from Friday. push({});
The UK Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, disclosed on Friday.
“From Friday, we’re extending our travel ban with the UAE, Burundi and Rwanda all added to the UK’s red list,” Shapps wrote on Twitter.
Under the new regulation, people who have been in or transited through the countries in question will be denied entry.
The ban does not apply to the UK, as well as Irish and third-country nationals with a residence permit, who must self-isolate for ten days at home.
To date, the island nation has confirmed more than 3.7 million cases of the coronavirus, including 103,126 fatalities.
NAN
Author Profile

- Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media and ICT Consultant, Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
Latest entries
ReligiousNovember 5, 2023The Idea of African Time is Embarrassing Africa – Imam Aliagan
NewsOctober 27, 2023NGIJ Mourn Demise Of Tukuwei Perry, Says Journalist Death A Great Loss
NewsAugust 29, 2023Insecurity: Gombe Governor Orders Immediate Closure Of All Gala Houses In The State
NewsAugust 16, 2023Full List of The New Ministers and Their Portfolio