The right-winger who sought to whip up support by using strongman tactics in the recent clash with Hamas in Gaza is braced for an ousting by an unlikely coalition of right-wing, centrist and other parties. The group clinched a deal to form a government that would break a period of unprecedented political deadlock that saw four elections in two years. Mr Netanyahu has enjoyed more than a decade in office.
Under the new arrangement, Naftali Bennett, chairman of the Yamina Party, will be prime minister, according to a statment from the president’s office.
Around two years into his tenure, Yair Lapid will replace him as as alternate prime minister.
Mr Lapid is head of the centre-left party Yesh Atid – “There is a Future”.
The announcement came moments before a midnight deadline for a high-stakes political deal.
If no agreement had been reached Israel would have been plunged into a fifth election in just over two years.
More to follow…
