What’s next for Benjamin Netanyahu?

Eight parties have come together to form a coalition that could oust Israel’s longest serving PM

Stanly Johny support of 61 lawmakers — two years and then Mr. Lapid decided how to vote. If they the majority-mark. After Mr. will get the top job. But the vote for the ‘change’ govern- Benjamin Netanyahu, Is- Netanyahu’s failure to form coalition has hardly anything ment, it could sail through rael’s longest serving Prime the government, President in common but their goal to despite the rebellion within Minister, may finally be on Reuven Rivlin invited Yair La- see Mr. Netanyahu go. So it Yamina. his way-out. Eight political pid, leader of Yesh Atid, has to be seen how long the parties, from the rightwing which is the second largest coalition will last. Uncertainty ahead Yamina to the Arab-majority party in the current Knesset By signing the unity agree- For Mr. Netanyahu, the best Ra’am (United Arab List), with 17 members, to form the ments, Mr. Lapid, the archi- outcome would Mr. Bennet have come together to form a government. It’s Mr. Lapid tect of the coalition, has failing to prove majority in new coalition, which, if who put together the Benjamin Netanyahu passed the first test. But the the Knesset. The country proves majority in the Knes- ‘change’ coalition. next is the most important would then move into anoth- set, could oust Mr. Netanya- themselves. But one of Yami- er round of elections, and he hu, who has been in power Who are its members? na MKs, Amichai Chikli, has could stay in power until the since 2009. In 2020, Mr. Lapid’s Yesh already said he would not EXPLAINER next government is formed — Atid fought the elections as support the coalition. That which could be months Why a new coalition? part of the Blue and White has left the coalition with a one — to win the confidence away. Being in power would Israel saw four national elec- coalition. But when Blue and razor-thin majority of one of the Knesset. The current also offer some immunity to tions in the past two years. In White leader Mr. Gantz de- seat. Knesset Speaker is Likud’s Mr. Netanyahu, who is on all these elections, no party cided to join Mr. Netanyahu’s Yariv Levin. Mr. Lapid has ac- trial for corruption. won a majority on its own. unity government, Mr. Lapid What happens next? cused him of delaying the If ousted, he could remain After the March 2020 polls, parted ways. He was the Op- According to the coalition vote so that Mr. Netanyahu the Opposition leader. But Mr. Netanyahu’s rightwing position leader in the pre- agreement, Yamina leader will have more time to try to Mr. Netanyahu’s repeated fai- Likud party joined hands vious Knesset. Naftali Bennet, who was ear- persuade rightwing MKs (of lures to form a stable govern- with Benny Gantz’s centrist Now, Mr. Lapid and Mr. lier with the far-right-reli- Yamina and New Hope) to ment have shaken his hold Blue and White to form a un- Gantz have come together gious Jewish Home party, vote against the Bennet-La- over Likud. ity government. But the coa- again. Their parties together could be the next Prime Mi- pid government. Out of power, he could lition did not last long. have 25 MKs (Members of nister. Mr. Bennet, a kippa- One Yamina MK has alrea- face leadership challenges In December, the govern- Knesset). Six other parties wearing politician who is op- dy revolted against Mr. Ben- within the party. In 2019, Gi- ment collapsed after the have also joined them — the posed to the creation of an net’s decision. Another one, deon Saar had unsuccessful- Knesset failed to pass the an- rightwing Yamina (7 MKs), independent Palestinian Nir Orbach, has expressed ly challenged him for Likud’s nual budget. In the March centre-right New Hope (6 state, could be the first lead- his doubts about the coali- leadership. It may be too ear- 2021 election, the voters gave MKs); centre-left Meretz er forming a government tion. If he switches sides, the ly to write Mr. Netanyahu off. another split verdict. Likud (6MKs) and Labour (7 MKs); with support from an Arab coalition won’t have a major- But if the ‘change’ coalition emerged as the biggest party secular right Yisrael Beiteinu party in Israel’s history. ity. forms a government, Mr. Ne- with 30 seats out of the 120- (7 MKs); and Arab Ra’am (4 Mr. Bennet, according to But two members of the tanyahu’s political future member Knesset, but failed MKs). The eight-party coali- the coalition pact, could re- Joint List (another Arab plat- would be thrown into uncer- to form a coalition with the tion has 62 MKs among main the Prime Minister for form that has 6 MKs) are un- tainty.