Opposition fears that the 11 days of recent violence unleashed on Palestine by Israel would further endear long-time Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu enough for him to retain his grip on power have all but ended.
As a result of the much-publicised conflict 256 Palestinians, including 66 children, were killed. In Israel, 13 people were killed, including two children.
The low Israeli fatalities were seen as a boon for Netanyahu, but on Wednesday it became clear his grip on power had been significantly loosened.
Opponents announced – within minutes of the midnight deadline – that they had reached a deal to form a new governing coalition.
The dramatic announcement by opposition leader Yair Lapid and his main coalition partner, Naftali Bennett averts Israel’s fifth consecutive election in just over two years.
“This government will work for all the citizens of Israel, those that voted for it and those that didn’t. It will do everything to unite Israeli society,” Lapid said.
The agreement that includes an Israel Palestine party still needs to be approved by the Knesset, or parliament, in a vote that is expected to take place early next week.
For the first time in Israel’s history – Ra’am (United Arab List) a party that represents the country’s 21-percent Palestinian minority – has signed to be part of the governing coalition.
“The chairperson of Ra’am, Mansour Abbas, signed a document which allows the chairperson of Yesh Atid, Yair Lapid, to inform the president he has succeeded in forming a government after agreements were reached,” Lapid’s spokesman said in a statement.
“Mansour Abbas and Yair Lapid signed a coalition agreement to form a unity government.”
Unless Netanyahu breaks the coalition his reign is over and the Likud party will soon be the opposition in Israel.
Early Thursday Netanyahu said he would not go down without a struggle. He called on lawmakers to oppose “this dangerous left-wing government”.
