Former Top Military Chief likely to form new government in Israel

Former military chief of Israel, Benny Gantz will form the next government in Israel as Prime Minister Netanyahu announced this week that he failed to build a 61-seat majority. The situation emerged as there are few options left after last month's elections left him in a near tie with Netanyahu. Though Netanyahu was to form the Government initially, he could not. Gantz too faces similar odds and might have to call for a third election within a year, cite reports. 

Read: Israel: Netanyahu Says He 'tried Everything' To Form A Coalition

The clash between Netanyahu and Gantz

President Reuven Rivlin on October 23 will reportedly grant the mandate to Gantz to form a coalition within 28 days. This will be the first time in over a decade when someone other than Netanyahu will form the Government. Since there are only 54 lawmakers who endorse him representing an array of parties, it is unlikely that they will form a coalition. At the same time, both Gantz and Netanyahu are reportedly in for national unity government whose parties Likud and Blue together form a majority of 65 lawmakers. Yet they are divided over the leadership. Gantz is unwilling to fulfil the current Prime Minister's wish to lead the government in the next two years which will include his right-wing allies. As Netanyahu is about to face corruption charges, Gantz has asked him to resolve them before willing to assume power. 

Read: Israel PM Netanyahu Gives Up Hope To Form Government, Returns Mandate

Gantz could form a government with a minority

Political analysts in media cite that on forming the government, Gantz could break up the right-wing alliance and recruit some of the smaller parties to his coalition which on the other hand might be seen as a major betrayal by those parties' voters. The second option for Gantz is to form a minority government with Avigdor Lieberman, who emerged as kingmaker after his party won eight seats and has refused to endorse either Gantz or Netanyahu. Arab joint list can also be approached by Gantz which won 13 seats, to support the coalition from the outside. These could possibly bring down Netanyahu but result in a highly unstable government with too many leaders and parties. At the same time, Lieberman who a nationalist with a history of harsh rhetoric toward the Arab minority may or may not support such a scheme. Till date, no Arab party could attain the Israeli majority or form government. 

Read: Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu's pre-indictment Hearing Concludes

Israel's political deadlock and its effects

Israel's political deadlock began in April when Lieberman refused to join a right-wing coalition under Netanyahu. As a result, Israel's parliament voted to dissolve itself, which led to a repeated election in September. This could repeat next year as well. The scenario has delayed the US peace plan which was earlier rejected by Palestinians accusing the administration of extreme and unfair bias toward Israel.

Read: Israel Begins Netanyahu’s pre-indictment Corruption Hearing