Last minute wrangling is delaying the formation of a new Israeli government, and may cause the anti-Bibi camp to miss its midnight deadline to achieve power.
After a series of four elections, Benjamin Netanyahu’s opponents are the closest they have yet been to forming a government. In a highly-unusual twist, it the coalition has expected to clinch success by securing support of an Islamist party, Raam, led by Mansour Abbas.
The so-called change coalition, a left-to-right alliance led by Yair Lapid, was widely expected to announce an agreement today. Mr Lapid has promised “a unity government” that will “take care of all the citizens of Israel, including those who didn't vote for us, including those who won't be in the government.”
He was hoping to announce this morning that he has the backing of a majority of Knesset members — but negotiations appear to be hitting delays, and there is now speculation that the various parties may not iron out internal differences by tonight’s cut-off.
