Not all is well for Israel’s longest-serving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Lawmakers who are opposed to the right-wing Netanyahu have been in intense talks. This comes ahead of a Wednesday deadline, as a ceasefire held after the latest deadly military conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Israel‘s nationalist hardliner Naftali Bennett also says that he would join a potential coalition government. And this colation could end the rule of Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu is now facing trial on several charges of fraud, bribery and breach of trust. Although, he denies these charges.
But the 71-year-old leader has clung to power throughout a period of political turmoil. This period has seen four inconclusive elections in under two years.
In March, Netanyahu’s Likud party gained the most seats but he again failed to form a government. Now, the Opposition leader Yair Lapid now has until Wednesday evening to build a rival coalition.
Lapid is now seeking a diverse alliance, which the Israeli media calls a bloc for ‘change’, which would include Bennett as well as Arab-Israeli lawmakers.
To bring Netanyahu down, Lapid has offered to share power and let Bennett, 49, serve the first term in a rotating premiership.
A beleaguered Netanyahu and his seat
A beleaguered PM offered his own proposal of a rotation agreement with Bennett and Saar. But Saar for now remains committed to ‘replacing the Netanyahu regime’.
Netanyahu, via a video, had also called on Saar and Bennett to join three-way rotation government, warning they were in crucial moment for the security, character and future of the state of Israel.
Furthermore, some right-wing lawmakers are also questioning this partnership with Israel’s Arab minority, around a fifth of the population.
Since the latest Gaza conflict has already sparked inter-communal clashes between Jewish and Arab Israelis in mixed cities. ISRAEL-PALESTINE CONFLICT EXPLAINED
Arab politicians on the other hand have also been divided about joining a government headed by Bennett. As he is among those who support expanding Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. This (West Bank) is where the Palestinians hope to create a state.
So, if the anti-Netanyahu camp is not able to manage to form a government on time, a majority of 61 lawmakers may also vote to ask the president to name a new premier.
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