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Netanyahu says needs more time to form new Israel government
JERUSALEM, May 12, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu said Sunday he would ask President Reuven Rivlin for more time to
form a new coalition government, citing recent holidays and the Gaza flare-
up.
Netanyahu’s Likud won 35 seats in the April 9 general election, with most
party chiefs represented in the 120-seat parliament recommending that he
forms the next governing coalition.
On April 17 Rivlin formally tasked him with the mission, which by law
needs to be completed within 28 days — although a 14-day extension is
automatically granted upon request.
“As in past instances of forming a government, I intend on asking an
extension from the president,” Netanyahu said in the opening remarks of the
weekly cabinet meeting.
“Such an extension is not only acceptable but also required due to
scheduling problems,” he said citing a busy holiday season, including
Passover and Israeli Independence Day, as well as the Gaza flare-up.
On May 4, militants in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip fired hundreds of
rockets at Israel, prompting the army to striked dozens of targets inside the
blockaded coastal enclave in response.
Four Israeli civilians and 25 Palestinians, including at least nine
militants, were killed in the two-day flare-up, which ended on Monday in a
tentative truce.
Netanyahu has been conducting low-intensity meetings with heads of the
parties expected to join his coalition.
It is expected to include the 16 members of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish
parties, the far-right national religious union, Avigdor Lieberman’s
nationalistic Israel Beitenu and the centre-right Kulanu.
Netanyahu’s lawyers were meanwhile negotiating with the justice ministry
when the premier’s pre-trial hearings would take place.
The attorney general announced in February his intention to indict
Netanyahu for bribery, fraud and breach of trust — pending a hearing.
Netanyahu is not required to resign if indicted, only if convicted with
all appeals exhausted.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1706 hrs