Herzog Grants Netanyahu Extension to Form New Israeli Government

December 12, 2022

by: JNS

Monday, 12 December 2022 | Israeli President Isaac Herzog has given Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu an extension until December 21 to form a new government.

In a letter to Herzog, Netanyahu had requested the full 14-day extension allowed by law to form a government. The initial mandate was set to expire on December 9.

Although Netanyahu signed up enough coalition partners for a parliamentary majority, he cited a need to agree on the roles of his new partners.

“Some issues related to [coalition partner] roles have yet to be agreed upon,” Netanyahu wrote in his letter.

Earlier last week, Netanyahu’s Likud party reached interim coalition agreements with the United Torah Judaism and Shas parties. With the support of right-wing and religious parties, Netanyahu’s government is expected to control 64 out of the Knesset’s [Parliament’s] 120 seats.

If Netanyahu fails to meet this new deadline, Herzog can task another member of Knesset to try forming a government. Otherwise, a new election will be called.

Posted on December 12, 2022

Source: (Excerpt from an article originally published by the Jewish News Syndicate on December 9, 2022 Time-related language has been modified to reflect our republication today. See original article at this link.)

Photo Credit: Kobi Gideon/GPO/jns.org