Israeli President to Ask Netanyahu to Form Next Government
- Majority of lawmakers recommended Netanyahu to president
- Netanyahu coalition likely to lean on once-fringe politicians
Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Israel, on Nov. 2.
Photographer: Kobi Wolf/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog will officially ask Benjamin Netanyahu to form the country’s next government after consulting with all parliament’s political parties, a statement from the presidency said.
Netanyahu’s Likud party won the highest percentage of the vote on Nov. 1. He’s widely expected to partner with Religious Zionism and the country’s two ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism. This right-wing coalition will give Netanyahu, who was Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, the chance to return to office after less than 18 months in opposition.