Jerusalem, Nov 13 (AFP\/APP):Israel’s veteran ex-premier Benjamin Netanyahu secured a mandate Sunday to form a new government, paving the way for his comeback at the helm of what is expected to be the most right-wing administration in the country’s history. <\/p>\n
After a period of unprecedented political gridlock that forced five elections in less than four years, November 1 polls gave Netanyahu and his far-right allies a clear majority in the 120-seat parliament.<\/p>\n
“I have decided to assign to you, Benjamin Netanyahu, the task of forming a government,” President Isaac Herzog told him at a ceremony in Jerusalem. <\/p>\n
Accepting the mandate, the 73-year-old Netanyahu vowed to serve all Israelis, “those who voted for us and those who did not — it is my responsibility”. <\/p>\n
The veteran right-winger, who is fighting corruption allegations in court, will have at least 28 days to build a coalition with his allies — two ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties a rising extreme-right alliance called Religious Zionism.<\/p>\n
Herzog noted Netanyahu’s ongoing trial, saying: “I am not oblivious, of course, to the fact that there are ongoing legal proceedings against Mr Netanyahu at the Jerusalem District Court, and I do not trivialise this at all”.<\/p>\n
But he noted that recent precedent made clear Netanyahu could serve as prime minister while contesting the allegations. <\/p>\n
Netanyahu’s next moves will be closely scrutinised as unease mounts in some quarters over his policy plans and the goals of his controversial governing partners. <\/p>\n
The new government is widely expected to pass sweeping judicial reforms, a long-held priority of Israel’s right. That could include a so-called “override clause” giving parliament the right to overrule the supreme court any time it declares legislation to be illegal.<\/p>\n
Netanyahu’s government may also take full control over appointing supreme court judges, a role currently held by a panel of lawmakers, sitting judges and lawyers.<\/p>\n
“It is difficult for me to exaggerate the damage and danger” of the proposed reforms, said Suzie Navot, a constitutional law professor at the Israel Democracy Institute think tank. <\/p>\n
– ‘Very sensitive questions’ –<\/p>\n
Netanyahu can seek a two-week extension to his initial mandate, but is expected to announce a coalition deal reasonably quickly, given broad ideological unity within the incoming government. <\/p>\n
Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, co-leaders of the Religious Zionism bloc, have publicly demanded control of two key ministries — public security and defence.<\/p>\n
Ben-Gvir, a firebrand known for anti-Arab rhetoric and incendiary calls for Israel to annex the entire West Bank, has repeatedly called for the security services to use more force in countering Palestinian unrest.<\/p>\n
Violence has soared between Israel and the Palestinians this year. <\/p>\n
Recent months have been the deadliest period in years in the Israeli-occupied West Bank according to the United Nations, with near daily army raids and an increase in clashes and attacks on Israeli forces.<\/p>\n
Netanyahu’s previous terms in office saw what little remained of the Middle East peace process collapse in a surge of Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank.<\/p>\n
Herzog, whose role is largely symbolic, was reported to have tried to convince outgoing premier Yair Lapid and his defence minister Benny Gantz to form a unity cabinet with Netanyahu, in order to keep Ben-Gvir from entering government.<\/p>\n
The presidency publicly denied the claims.<\/p>\n
But Herzog this week told Ben-Gvir that he had received “questions from Israeli citizens and world leaders… very sensitive questions on human rights”.<\/p>\n
“There is a certain image of you and your party which seems, and I’ll say it in all honesty, worrying in many regards,” he added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Jerusalem, Nov 13 (AFP\/APP):Israel’s veteran ex-premier Benjamin Netanyahu secured a mandate Sunday to form a new government, paving the way for his comeback at the helm of what is expected to be the most right-wing administration in the country’s history. After a period of unprecedented […]<\/p>\n
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