This Wednesday, just 12 minutes before the mandate to form a government expired, Benjamin Netanyahu informed President Isaac Herzog that he succeeded in forming a majority of 64 seats in the Knesset (parliament). Therefore, the Likud party leader will assume the role of Prime Minister of Israel for the sixth time in his career.
In the November 1 elections, the Likud won 32 seats, falling short of reaching the necessary majority in the Knesset (61 out of 120) and claiming office. From this, with a coalition formed by two ultra-Orthodox parties and three of the most nationalist right-wing parties, Netanyahu reached the required number and will take office at the end of next week or on January 2 at the latest.
"Thanks to the enormous public support we received in the last elections I was able to establish a government that will act in the interests of all the citizens of Israel," Netanyahu told Herzog during his official phone call. "I wish you success; the duty is to act for the good of all the people of Israel, and I hope that all of you will fulfill this mission," replied Herzog.
בזכות התמיכה הציבורית העצומה לה זכינו בבחירות האחרונות, עלה בידי להקים ממשלה שתפעל לטובת כל אזרחי ישראל 🇮🇱❤️ pic.twitter.com/ijtDppkaSm
— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) December 21, 2022
Although they have organized to form a government, the parties involved have not yet reached signed agreements. Netanyahu will continue to negotiate with the ultra-Orthodox parties and right-wing Itamar Ben Gvir about how to distribute positions and the expand certain powers.
Yair Lapid, outgoing Prime Minister, questioned the formation of the new majority in the Knesset and predicted the "most radical and crazy government in Israel" in the country's history. Avigdor Liberman, outgoing Minister of Finance, added: "They formed a government of darkness that (...) will legalize gender segregation."
