Benjamin Netanyahu’s record 12-year run as Israeli Prime Minister could be coming to an end, with his political rivals joining forces to form a coalition after the country’s fourth elections in two years ended in a hung parliament.
Each of the past four elections was seen as a referendum on Netanyahu – who has become a polarising figure as he stands trial on corruption charges – with each ending in deadlock.
The new fragile coalition has come into being after Israeli far-right politician Naftali Bennett joined hands with centrist leader Yair Lapid.
Bennete, 49, who was Netanyahu’s defence minister, defended his decision to join hands with Lapid to prevent the country from sliding into a fifth consecutive election in just more than two years.