
With two days left before Prime Minister Netanyahu's mandate to form the government expires, it appears that there will be a fierce debate between Yamina chairman Naftali Bennett and Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid over who will receive the mandate after Netanyahu.
The Israel Hayom newspaper reports that there is fear within Yesh Atid that if Bennett receives the mandate, he could use it to attempt to form a government with the Likud, preventing the formation of a 'change' government.
Bennett's negotiating team wants to conclude within the next two days all the agreements on the formation of the new government in order to obviate the significance of imposing the mandate on himself or Lapid.
While the Likud has run out of maneuvering room, Netanyahu's team has in recent days made sure to convey great faith that despite efforts on behalf of the "change" camp, the prime minister remains unfazed by the prospects of losing his seat. Netanyahu is not depressed, he seems alert and ready," said a source close to the prime minister who spoke with him prior to the disaster in Meron. "This silence from him and his surroundings in recent days in political contexts is a bit strange. He does not speak out publicly against Bennett, does not exert public pressure. Perhaps he is still preparing a move," asserted the source.
Yesterday, United Arab List chairman Mansour Abbas was interviewed on the "Meet the Press" program and said, "Ra'am and Yamina will make a decision when the time comes. In both blocs, attempts are being made to offer solutions to the political tangle. If a government is formed, Yamina and Ra'am should be on the same side."
Before Shabbat, Yamina MK Ayelet Shaked wrote: Naftali, myself, and all the others are making our best effort to do the right thing, which is to allow for the formation of a good and stable government."