Netanyahu pushes annexation plan while calling for direct PM elections against Gantz

Benjamin Netanyahu called for direct elections against political rival and leader of the Blue & White alliance Benny Gantz over the weekend if ongoing talks to form a unity government fail. 

"It's still not too late, but if they don't come to their senses and set up a national unity government, there is one more thing we can do to prevent an unnecessary Knesset election: A direction election for the premiership between Benny Gantz and myself," Netanyahu said in a statement. 

"Blue & White say that they know what the people want, so I'm all for the people deciding and no one else - including the media," he added. 

Speaking at a conference in Jerusalem, Netanyahu gave a presentation about Israel's accomplishments during his tenure ahead of this week's deadline for the parliament to select a candidate in a last-ditch attempt to avoid a third consecutive election. 

Challenging the US State Department's denial of discussions of extending Israeli sovereignty over the Jordan Valley, he submitted that no formal plan was advanced, but "the issue was raised and I raised it with Secretary of State Pompeo and I intend to raise the issue with the Trump administration."

Addressing security matters, he also threatened a major military operation in the Gaza Strip should the rocket launches continue.

On Saturday, Blue & White almost immediately rejected the premier's offer for direct elections, calling Netanyahu's proposal "hollow spin" aimed at distracting from his legal woes. 

Last month, Israel's Attorney General handed down three indictments against Netanyahu, who is charged with breach of trust, corruption, and bribery stemming from multiple cases. 

A new election is set to be triggered on December 11 if the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) fails to select one of its members to form a coalition government after both Netanyahu and Gantz failed to fulfill their mandates following the September 17 vote.