Rivals sew coalition deal to unseat Netanyahu

Jerusalem, June 3

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Israel’s Opposition parties on Thursday set the wheels in motion for a potential national unity government after clinching a last-minute agreement to oust Benjamin Netanyahu, the longest-serving Prime Minister in the nation’s history.

Yair Lapid, leader of the centrist Yesh Atid party, announced an eight-party coalition had been formed after tough political negotiations.

Under a rotational arrangement, the head of the right-wing Yamina party, Naftali Bennett, 49, would serve as the Prime Minister first before handing over to Lapid.

“In accordance with Clause 13(b) of the Basic Law: The Government – I am honoured to inform you that I have succeeded in forming a government…MK (Member of Knesset) Naftali Bennett will serve as a PM first,” Lapid told Rivlin.

Lapid will serve as Foreign Minister until the two men swap roles halfway through the term. There still needs to be a parliamentary vote before the government is sworn in.

The President thanked Lapid saying, ‘We expect the Knesset will convene as soon as possible to ratify the government, as required.” The development, seen by some as historic as it includes an Arab party in the coalition, will break an ongoing political impasse that has seen Israel go through four polls yielding inconclusive results in less than two years. Lapid’s coalition is composed of Yesh Atid, Yamina, Kahol Lavan, New Hope, Labor, Yisrael Beiteinu, Meretz and United Arab List.

Meanwhile, Bennett was given full prime-ministerial Shin Bet protection on Thursday morning. — PTI

Push for replacing parliament Speaker

• The Opposition on Thursday moved quickly to push for a vote for the Knesset Speaker Yariv Levin to be replaced as soon as possible
• The move to replace him is designed to deny the Speaker the chance to drag his feet on scheduling a confidence vote on the new government
• The bloc has asked that a vote to replace Levin with Yesh Atid MK Mickey Levy as Speaker be placed at the next plenum session