Israeli Political Parties Reach Deal To Form New Government

A coalition of political parties in Israel announced they have reached an agreement in the deal to form a new government. 38 minutes before the deadline, leader of the centrist party Yair Lapid notified Israeli President Reuven Rivlin that he had managed to piece together the new form of government which could oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Under the country’s election laws, the President can give a party leader 28 days to form a coalition and President Rivlin tasked Netanyahu to form the government but he was unable to command enough support to control Israel’s parliament.

If the coalition is passed, Naftali Bennett the leader of a small right wing party will become Prime Minister for the first two years of a four year term and Lapid will serve as Foreign Minister then the men will switch roles for the last 2 years of the term. In a statement, Lapid said the “government will work to serve all the citizens of Israel including those who aren’t members of it, will respect those who oppose it, and do everything in its power to unite all parts of Israeli society.” The coalition will now have to pass a vote of confidence in Israel’s parliament before the new government and Prime Minister are sworn in.