An outcome of 2 nations armed to the teeth Both the Israeli right-wing government and the Hamas religious government are illegitimate forces, the former speaker of the Israeli Knesset, Avraham Burg, told DW in an exclusive interview about the escalating crisis in the Middle East.
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Israel s president picks Netanyahu opponent Lapid to form government
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Last Updated: May 05, 2021, 09:56 PM IST
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President Reuven Rivlin, in a televised address announcing his choice of Lapid, said the former finance minister had the pledged support of 56 of parliament s 120 members, still short of a majority.
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Lapid heads the Yesh Atid party, which finished second with 17 parliamentary seats to 30 for Netanyahu s Likud in the March election.
Israel s president on Wednesday chose Yair Lapid, a centrist politician and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu s strongest rival, to try to form a new government, but his path to success was still uncertain.
Netanyahu on Way to Opposition, Leading MK Declares
MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty
20 Apr 2021
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on his way to leading the opposition, a top Likud MK said Monday night, hours after the ruling party faced a stinging defeat in the vote on appointing the heads of a key Knesset committee.
Likud’s Miki Zohar told the first meeting of the Arrangements Committee he understands losing the vote means the Likud is on its way to the opposition. When asked by MK Ahmed Tibi from the Arab Joint List party asked who would serve as leader of the opposition, Zohar answered “Benjamin Netanyahu.”
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President Reuven Rivlin decided to task Netanyahu with forming a new government, as he had received the most endorsements. Netanyahu now has 22 days left to try and form a coalition before May 2, although he may receive a two-week extension from the president once that time has elapsed.
Should Netanyahu fail, the president may task another lawmaker with forming a government or ask the Knesset to present a candidate that has the support of a majority of parliamentarians.
The Arrangements Committee is in charge of composing the various parliamentary committees and determining the Knesset s agenda until a coalition is formed. It is also in its power to promote legislation and approve certain regulations.