Israeli opposition coalition emerges to oust Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu’s 12-year cycle ahead of Israel’s destinies is almost over. The ultranationalist Naftali Bennet, leader of the Yamina party, announced this Sunday, support for the creation of a coalition government with the opposition bloc led by the centrist Yair Lapid.

Under the future power-sharing deal, Bennett would replace 71-year-old Netanyahu as prime minister and later give way to Lapid in a rotating deal.

“I am announcing today that I intend to work with all my strength to establish a unity government with Yesh Atid’s president, Yair Lapid,” said Bennett in his speech. “We will either have a fifth election or a unity government.”

Netanyahu has already reacted to the creation of this anti-Netanyahu government, accusing Bennett of operating “the coup of the century”. Netanyahu stated that

“Instead of forming a left-wing government, which can be dangerous for Israel, when Lapid’s term to form an executive ends, we can form a right-wing government that is good for Israel.

What will the coalition do against the intimidation process against Israel? How are we going to look into the eyes of our enemies? “He said.” What will she do in Iran and Gaza? What will they say in the government corridors in Washington ”?

Lapid leads a broad bloc of parties of great ideological diversity – from the left to the extreme right – whose only element of unity is firm opposition to the current prime minister.

Bennett’s decision, announced by him in a televised speech, should allow opposition leader Yair Lapid to assemble a coalition of right, center and left parties that will represent Netanyahu his first election defeat since 1999.

Lapid, leader of the centrist Yesh Atid party who finished second behind right-wing Likud de Netanyahu in an inconclusive national election on March 23, has until next Wednesday to announce a new government.