March 2020 Israeli Election and Unity Government Formation

The March 2020 Israeli election was a pivotal moment in the country's political landscape, following two previous elections in April and September 2019 that resulted in a stalemate, with no party able to form a governing coalition. As the COVID-19 pandemic escalated, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz, the leader of the Blue and White party, reached a historic agreement to form a unity government. This coalition was characterized by a planned rotating prime ministership, where Netanyahu would serve first, followed by Gantz. This unprecedented partnership was seen as a necessary response to the national crisis posed by the pandemic. However, the unity government faced significant challenges, particularly regarding budget disputes, which ultimately led to its collapse by December 2020. The failure to agree on a budget prompted the call for new elections, scheduled for March 2021, marking yet another chapter in Israel's ongoing political instability.