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Israel’s latest political drama has exacerbated the plight of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption charges.

Israel’s opposition leader Yail Rapid informed the president on Wednesday that he can form a coalition government, a move that will end Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s 12-year rule.

Rapid, the leader of the Yesh Atid party, is Responsible for forming a government After Netanyahu failed to form his own alliance again, it was proposed by President Ruben Rivlin The fourth inconclusive election In less than two years.

Rapid is a former TV presenter and a secular centrist. He won important support from the hardline religious nationalist Naftali Bennett on Sunday. He is a technology multimillionaire who has served in the Ministry of Defense including Multiple government positions.

Beit HaNasi spox:
According to paragraph 13(b) of the Basic Law: Government (2001), Chairman Yesh Atid MK @yairlapid Israeli President Ruvi Rivlin has been notified that he has been able to form a government.

— Ruben Rivlin (@PresidentRuvi) June 2 2021

The latest political drama in Israel has exacerbated Netanyahu’s plight. Netanyahu has been accused of fraud, bribery and breach of trust during his tenure-he denies these allegations.

After losing the post of prime minister, he will not be able to push for changes to the basic laws, thereby granting him immunity, and will lose control of certain nominations from the Ministry of Justice.

Netanyahu’s Likud won the most seats in the March 23 election, but he was unable to form a majority with his natural allies. Crucially, Bennett’s far-right party — allied with Netanyahu — refused to ally with Netanyahu. United Arab List, A party that became a kind of king maker.

‘Strengthen democracy’

Lapid’s Yesh Atid Party and Benny Gantz’s centrist Blue and White said in a joint statement that they “reached an agreement on government outlines and core issues related to strengthening democracy and Israeli society”.

The two sides stated that Gantz will continue to serve as defense minister in the new cabinet.

A spokesperson for Rapide said that he had also worked with the left-wing Meretz and the center-left Labor Party and the nationalist party of former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, Yisrael Bettenu (Yisrael). Beitenu) reached an agreement.

The United Arab Emirates also agreed to join the alliance. If the government is established, this will be the first time in Israel’s history that an independent Arab party has become a member of the government.

Netanyahu, who has been in power for the past 12 years, has tried to discredit Bennett and other right-wingers who negotiated with Rapide, saying they are endangering Israel’s security.