Several MKs from Israel's right-wing bloc have declined to sign a recommendation letter drafted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party in order to get a 14-day extension to put together a coalition government.
Israel's Likud party is racing to gather signatures from lawmakers in a bid to earn another chance at forming the next government after Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman said he would pledge support for both incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the rivaling Blue and White leader, Benny Gantz.
Under Israeli law, since neither Likud nor Blue and White managed to swear in a government after being given the chance by Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, the Knesset can now select an MK to form a government. If that MK garners 61 votes he or she would be given 14 days to swear in a cabinet and get the Knesset's approval through a confidence vote.
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The first two Likud MKs to come out against Netanyahu were Gideon Sa'ar, who is also seeking the Likud chairmanship, and his ally, MK Michal Shir.
The head of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, Aryeh Deri, said that he would not sign the petition as it would be playing into the hands of the "staunchly anti-religious" Lieberman, according to Israeli media.
Blue and White has also begun collecting signatures from Israeli MKs.
Lieberman vowed to give his party's signatures to both Likud and Blue and White upon their request as lawmakers are allowed to sign for multiple candidates.
Since Likud had already garnered support from 55 parliament members in the election, Liberman's eight could potentially lift Netanyahu over the 61-signature mark. Gantz's party would need the support of Arab parties in order to reach the 61-majority coalition.
While Israel's Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit ruled last week that Netanyahu could continue to serve as interim premier, it is unclear whether the president can hand him the mandate to form a government amid the indictment against him.
Negotiating teams between the two parties were scheduled to meet Sunday afternoon, to discuss an offer that would allow Netanyahu to serve as prime minister for four months, after which he would step down and allow Gantz to take over.
This article was originally published by i24NEWS.
