Lawmaker Michael Biton says he will not support the coalition until he reaches a deal with Israel's Transport Minister over public transport reform, in yet another blow for Bennett's fracturing government
In light of the existential threat to Israel's unity government posed by MK Idit Silman's sudden departure, some think the Arab-majority Joint List could offer a lifeline. But actors on both sides have serious doubts
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May. 7, 2021 4:00 PM
Right-wing Yamina leader Naftali Bennett and centrist Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid held two meetings on Friday, in a bid to expedite talks on a unity government that could see Benjamin Netanyahu replaced as prime minister.
After Netanyahu missed his Tuesday deadline, the president tasked Lapid this week with forming a government, giving him 28 days to do so. Together with Bennett, he hopes to secure majority backing before that time elapses, but their main challenge is getting parties from across the political spectrum to agree to the same basic guidelines.
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Apr. 10, 2021 11:54 PM
Since President Reuven Rivlin tasked him Tuesday with forming the next government, Benjamin Netanyahu has not been able to put together a coalition of parties.
The prime minister met Thursday with Yamina Chairman Naftali Bennett to discuss the possibility of future cooperation. Despite the animus between the two men, the meeting was conducted in good spirits. Bennett expressed willingness in principle to join a right-wing government in partnership with Netanyahu, although at the moment the prime minister doesn’t have a majority that will make this possible.
LISTEN: On trial and struggling to cobble a coalition, bankrupt Bibi is teetering on the brink
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He added that a Netanyahu-led coalition would be unbalanced and would not protect Israel s citizens.
Last week, Gantz said he would recommend Lapid happily, if I see it has any chance. In an interview with Ynet, Gantz said that he would join the parties that support Lapid s candidacy if the Yesh Atid leader reaches the point where he only needs Kahol Lavan s eight seats to form a coalition.
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Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid and Kahol Lavan Chairman Benny Gantz in 2019Credit: Moti Milrod I am not ruling out anything that will oust Netanyahu. If 53 people recommend Yair [Lapid], he will automatically get another eight [seats] from me without any problems at all, he does not need to call me – he will receive a phone call from me, Gantz said.