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Chance of Israeli government without Netanyahu growing

Israel is likely to form a government without Prime Minister Netanyahu for the first time in 12 years. Opposition leader Yair Lapid, who can already count on the left-wing parties, also received support today from the right-wing opposition party of Naftali Bennett, who previously supported Netanyahu.

Together, the parties could form a minority government, possibly with the support of Arab parliamentarians. Lapid and Bennett would alternate as prime minister, Israeli media report.

This would end the premiership of 71-year-old Netanyahu, who has headed the country since 2009 and previously between 1996 and 1999. No Israeli politician has held the highest office for so long. It would also potentially end the political unrest that has dominated the country for more than two years, with Israelis having to go to the polls four times.

Initially, there was a stalemate as the two largest parties, Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud and Benny Gantz’ center Blue and White, were unable to agree on a coalition. In the end they agreed on a coalition, which soon fell apart. In last March’s elections, Netanyahu again became the largest, but his desired right-wing coalition partners won too few seats to jointly reach a majority.

Change Coalition

The mandate for forming a government was start this month return to the president. Lapid was then tasked with forging a coalition. His deadline is Wednesday.

Later today, Bennett will release a video statement on the coalition building. The politician speaks of a “coalition of change”, which could end Netanyahu’s dominance. The only alternative would be to call new elections, according to the politician.

The parties are far apart on several issues, but united in their aversion to collaborating with Netanyahu. The reason for this is the ongoing corruption case against the outgoing prime minister. Netanyahu is accused bribery and taking bribes. That process could take years.

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