The political imbroglio began anew on Wednesday after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to meet a midnight deadline to put together a new governing coalition, raising the possibility that his Likud party could be pushed into the opposition for the first time in 12 years.
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The deadline closed a 28-day window granted to Netanyahu by President Reuven Rivlin. The matter now bounces back to Rivlin, who announced just after midnight that on Wednesday he would contact the 13 parties with seats in Knesset to discuss "the continuation of the process of forming a government."
He was expected to meet with Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid and Yamina chairman Naftali Bennett on Wednesday morning to begin those efforts.
Rivlin is expected to give Netanyahu's main opponent, Lapid, a chance to form an alternative coalition government. He could also ask the Knesset to select one of its own members as prime minister. If all else fails, the country would be forced into another election this fall – the fifth in just over two years. He has three days to decide on the matter.
The turmoil does not mean that Netanyahu will immediately be forced out as prime minister. But he now faces a serious threat to his lengthy rule amid his ongoing corruption trial. His opponents, despite deep ideological differences, have already held informal talks in recent weeks in hopes of forging a power-sharing agreement.
In a brief statement, Netanyahu's Likud party blamed Yamina chairman Naftali Bennett for the prime minister's failure.
"Because of Bennett's refusal to commit to a right-wing government, something that would have certainly led to the formation of a government along with other members of Knesset, Prime Minister Netanyahu returned the mandate to the president," the statement said.
Bennett controls just seven seats in the Knesset, but he has emerged as a kingmaker of sorts and appears to carry the votes that Lapid would need to secure a parliamentary majority.
However, just several hours before Netanyahu's deadline was set to expire on Tuesday, his Likud party was debating whether or not to recommend that Rivlin hand the mandate to Bennett rather than Lapid.
Lapid already has said he is ready to share the prime minister's job with Bennett, with Bennett serving first in a rotation. So far, they have not reached any firm agreements.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz, leader of the centrist Blue and White party, called on Netanyahu's opponents to line up behind Lapid.
"The Israeli people have taken one blow after another: a pandemic, unemployment, ugly politics, loss of faith in leadership, and deep polarization," he said. "We can work everything out within a matter of hours. It is our duty to form a government as swiftly as possible for the sake of the State of Israel and all of its citizens."
Netanyahu has also suffered a series of legislative defeats. On Tuesday, Likud failed to push ahead a proposal calling for direct election of the prime minister. Opponents had panned the measure as a desperate attempt by Netanyahu to find a new way to hold on to power.
Despite all of Netanyahu's vulnerabilities, it remains unclear whether his opponents can form an alternative government.
The opposition includes a vast spectrum of parties that have little in common except for their animosity toward Netanyahu. He is expected to do his utmost in the coming weeks to prevent his opponents from finalizing a deal.
If they fail, he would remain in office until the next election. That would give him several months to battle his corruption charges from the perch of the prime minister's office and grant him yet another chance to win a new term, along with possible immunity.
On Wednesday morning, New Hope leader Gideon Sa'ar informed Rivlin that he endorses Lapid as the next prime minister.
A letter Sa'ar sent Rivlin read, "After considering the issue, we believe that it is best to recommend MK Yair Lapid [forms the coalition] in the context of the efforts to form a unity government."
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