Middle East News: JERUSALEM: Yair Lapid, who edged closer on Sunday to forming a coalition cabinet to oust long-term premier Benjamin Netanyahu, is Israel's centrist op.
A new coalition is challenging Israel’s longest-serving leader, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after his far-right former ally Naftali Bennett announced he would join forces with former TV anchor-turned-politician Yair Lapid.
Lapid’s efforts to replace Netanyahu were already in play before negotiations for a new government were derailed by the most recent conflict on May 10.
Over 11 days, Israel intensively bombed the Gaza Strip while Hamas, the Palestinian group that rules the besieged enclave, shot rockets towards Israel.
Following an Egypt-brokered ceasefire on May 20, lawmakers kicked talks into high gear ahead of a Wednesday deadline where they have to present their coalition to parliament for a formal vote of confidence allowing it to take office.
Lapid’s offer to Bennett is still on the table, but even if the saga ends with Bennett as prime minister, the past two months raise serious concerns as to his suitability for the position
Yair Lapid, a former news anchor once known largely for his chiselled good looks, was tapped Wednesday to form a new Israeli government after a failed attempt by veteran prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. "I will do everything to ensure that an Israeli unity government will be formed as soon as possible so we can get to work for the people of Israel," said 57-year-old Lapid after the announcement.