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Benjamin Netanyahu: The prime minister has to stand trial for corruption allegations
Photo: AMMAR AWAD / REUTERS
The political situation in Israel is deadlocked.
After the fourth parliamentary election within two years, Benjamin Netanyahu is now set to form a government again.
President Reuven Rivlin has given the right-wing conservative Prime Minister the relevant mandate.
Rivlin announced the decision in a televised address after meeting with representatives from several parties the previous day.
The President stressed that none of the MPs currently have a majority in Parliament.
But Netanyahu have a slightly better chance than others.
Given the corruption process against the head of government, it was not an easy decision to appoint him again to form the government, said Rivlin.
The 71-year-old Netanyahu had previously received the most referrals in discussions between party leaders and Rivlin: 52 MPs gave him their support.
His rival, opposition leader Jair Lapid, received recommendations from 45 MPs.
Lapid's future party is located in the political center.
However, neither Netanyahu's camp nor his opponents have a majority in parliament with 120 seats.
That is why the formation of a government remains uncertain even after the fourth parliamentary election within four years.
The candidate appointed by the president has four weeks to form a coalition and can apply for a two-week extension.
Israel expects difficult coalition talks
Difficult and lengthy coalition talks are now ahead in the country.
Another election this year is not ruled out.
A corruption lawsuit is underway against Netanyahu, charged with fraud, embezzlement and bribery.
The head of government speaks of a witch hunt and accuses the public prosecutor of an "attempted coup" against him.
The 57-year-old Lapid called on Monday evening for the formation of a broad government without the prime minister.
Netanyahu had proven with his statements that he had become dangerous for the country.
Lapid offered Naftali Bennett of the far-right Jamina party a coalition with rotation in the office of prime minister.
He was ready to let Bennett go first.
Israeli soldiers shoot Palestinians in the West Bank
Rivlin's announcement that Netanyahu would be tasked with forming a government was overshadowed by an incident in the West Bank.
Israeli soldiers shot a Palestinian in the Israeli occupied area.
According to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, the 42-year-old was driving with his wife in Bir Nabala north of Jerusalem when both were hit by "Israeli bullets".
The man died of a shot in the head, his wife suffered gunshot wounds in the back.
The Israeli army spoke of a planned car attack that was thwarted by soldiers.
According to Wafa, there had been violent clashes between Palestinians and the Israeli army in the Bir Nabala region the previous evening.
The Israeli army said the Palestinian’s car stopped at an army checkpoint, but then suddenly accelerated and headed for a group of soldiers.
Soldiers then fired shots "to ward off the danger."
asc / dpa / AFP