Jerusalem
CNN
–
Israeli President Isaac Herzog asked a question Benjamin Netanyahu arrive form a new government on Sunday, allowing the former prime minister to secure the country’s top job for a record sixth time and extending his record as the nation’s longest-serving leader.
Netanyahu, who served as Prime Minister for 12 years before losing his job in 2021, was nominated by party leaders representing more than half of Israel’s 120 members of parliament or the Knesset after the president concluded a presidential campaign. political consultations with them.
“The citizens of Israel demand a stable and stable government,” he said in comments after a closed-door meeting with Netanyahu. “A government that serves all citizens of Israel, both those who support and vote for it and those who oppose its creation; a government working on behalf of and for the benefit of all shades of the Israeli mosaic, from all communities, sectors, beliefs, religions, lifestyles, beliefs and values, and for Treat them all with sensitivity and responsibility. ”
“God willing, it will be a stable, successful and responsible government for all Israelis,” Netanyahu said with Herzog. “We are brothers and we will live together side by side.”
Israelis voted on November 1 for the fifth time in four years to break the political deadlock in the country.
Netanyahu’s Likud party has the most seats in the Knesset and the former prime minister will have 28 days to form a coalition government, with the possibility of a two-week extension.
But Netanyahu has not been an easy ride: he is now capable of leading a country that has always been polarized and can one of the most right-wing governments in the history of Israel.
During the negotiations, he will have to divide ministries between his coalition partners and haggle over policies.
This is where things get interesting. Five factions allied with Netanyahu’s Likud have a four-seat majority in the Knesset or 120-seat parliament, and failing to give any of them what they want could incite them to bring down the coalition.
When it comes to ultra-Orthodox parties, their demands are not controversial as far as Mr. Netanyahu is concerned: greater funding for religious schools and the right not to teach their children secular subjects like math and English. Older brother.
Real confrontations may come with his new radical right-wing allies. Netanyahu came to power after a great display of Zionism/Religious Zionism, with 14 seats, currently the third largest group in the Knesset. Its leader, Itamar Ben Gvir, who has a record of inciting anti-Arab racism and aiding terrorism, has asked to be appointed Minister of Public Security, in charge of Israel’s police.
Ben Gvir’s partner is Bezalel Smotrich, who has described himself as a “proud gay man”. He has said that Israel should be governed by Jewish law. He spoke of diminishing the Supreme Court’s power, and pointed to a charge of breach of trust – which happened to be part of the indictment against Netanyahu in his ongoing corruption trials. . Netanyahu has long denied all the allegations. If Smotrich wins the Justice Department he coveted, he could make these a reality, ending Netanyahu’s legal worries.
However, these may be the least of his concerns. After joining forces with the far-right, Netanyahu’s sixth reign will likely alienate half of Israel that didn’t vote for his bloc of parties.
Assuming Netanyahu can strike a coalition agreement by the December 11 deadline, the Knesset Speaker will convene a vote of confidence within seven days. If all goes according to plan, his government will come to power.
