The new government of right-wing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his rival Benni Ganz are said to be sworn in in a week. This was announced by Netanyahu’s Likud and Ganz ’Mitte Alliance Blue and White last night.
The Jerusalem Supreme Court had previously paved the way for government formation by rejecting petitions against Netanyahu’s further term and the coalition agreement.
The coalition with rotation in the prime minister’s office is supposed to end a stalemate that has paralyzed Israel’s political life for more than a year.
Green light and concerns
Regardless of a corruption charge, there is „no legal reason to object to the fact that the mandate to form a government is given to MP Benjamin Netanyahu,“ the verdict said. Nevertheless, the allegations against Netanyahu are serious and it is problematic when a head of government acts on charges.
According to Israeli law, a prime minister only has to resign after a final sentence. A minister, on the other hand, has to give up his office when a charge is brought.
Likud and Blau-Weiß’s coalition agreement is also legally problematic, the unanimous verdict of the judges said. However, there is currently no reason for the court to interfere. However, it hinted that future legislative changes provided for in the coalition agreement could well be challenged.
Parts of the coalition agreement changed
Following criticism from the Supreme Court, the Likud and Blau-Weiß had changed parts of their coalition agreement on Tuesday. Civil rights activists had criticized the agreement reached after the March 2 election.
The reason for the whole pact with Netanyahu, which he had long refused because of the allegations of corruption against the Likud boss, was the coronavirus crisis. The strictly religious parties and the labor party are also to become part of the new government.
The coalition wants to annex the Jordan Valley, part of the West Bank that has been occupied by Israel since 1967. US President Donald Trump has already given his approval, while the EU, for example, rejects it. It remains to be seen whether the annexation will take place quickly, even before the US presidential election in November.
