A new coalition was officially formed Wednesday to oust Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from his long-held post.
A deal was reached by opposition leader Yair Lapid and coalition partner Naftali Bennett just minutes prior to a midnight deadline that would have forced a fifth election in just two years.
Under the new coalition, Lapid and Bennett will split the prime minister role in turns, with Bennett set to serve the first two years.
Lapid will then take over as prime minister and Bennett will serve as the alternate governing head.
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In a late-night call to President Reuven Rivlin, Lapid said an agreement had been reached and a coalition formed.
“I commit to you Mr. President, that this government will work to serve all the citizens of Israel including those who aren’t members of it, will respect those who oppose it, and do everything in its power to unite all parts of Israeli society,” Lapid pledged.
The government will be comprised of eight different parties, including the Yesh Atid, Kachol Lavan, Yamina, Labor, Yisrael Beiteinu, New Hope, Meretz and Ra’am, the latter a part of the Islamic movement.
The agreement is the first-ever coalition
