Netanyahu gets mandate to form Israel’s next government

ISRAELI President Isaac Herzog handed veteran ex-premier, Benjamin Netanyahu, a mandate yesterday to form the country’s new government.

This paved the way for Netanyahu’s comeback at the helm of what is expected to be the most right-wing administration in the country’s history.

After a period of unprecedented political gridlock that forced five elections in less than four years, Nov. 1 polls gave Netanyahu and his far-right allies a clear majority in the 120-seat parliament.

“I have decided to assign to you, Benjamin Netanyahu, the task of forming a government,” President Herzog told him at a ceremony in Jerusalem.

Accepting the mandate, the 73-yearold Netanyahu vowed to serve all Israelis, “those who voted for us and those who did not – it is my responsibility.”

The veteran right-winger, who is fighting corruption allegations in court, will have at least 28 days to build a coalition with his allies – two ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties a rising extreme-right alliance called Religious Zionism.

Herzog noted Netanyahu’s ongoing trial, saying: “I am not oblivious, of course, to the fact that there are ongoing legal proceedings against Mr. Netanyahu at the Jerusalem District Court, and I do not trivialize this at all.”

But he noted that recent precedent made clear Netanyahu could serve as prime minister while contesting the allegations.

Netanyahu’s next moves will be closely scrutinized as unease mounts in some quarters over his policy plans and the goals of his controversial governing partners.

The new government is widely expected to pass sweeping judicial reforms, a long-held priority of Israel’s right. That could include a so-called “override clause” giving parliament the right to overrule the supreme court any time it declares legislation to be illegal.

Netanyahu’s government may also take full control over appointing supreme court judges, a role currently held by a panel of lawmakers, sitting judges and lawyers.

“It is difficult for me to exaggerate the damage and danger” of the proposed reforms, said Suzie Navot, a constitutional law professor at the Israel Democracy Institute think tank.

Netanyahu can seek a two-week extension to his initial mandate but is expected to announce a coalition deal reasonably quickly, given broad ideological unity within the incoming government.