Opposition nears deal to oust Bibi

Following the development, Netanyahu, as known as “Bibi” across Israel, said that a coalition government without him was a “danger” for Israel’s security, according to AFP.

The head of a small hard-line party on Sunday said he would try to form a unity government with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s opponents, taking a major step towards ending the 12-year rule of the Israeli leader.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Reuters)

Following the development, Netanyahu, as known as “Bibi” across Israel, said that a coalition government without him was a “danger” for Israel’s security, according to AFP.

In an address, Yamina Party leader Naftali Bennett said he has decided to join forces with the country’s opposition leader, Yair Lapid. The pair have until Wednesday to complete a deal in which they are expected to each serve two years as prime minister in a rotation deal.

“It’s my intention to do my utmost in order to form a national unity government along with my friend Yair Lapid, so that, god willing, together we can save the country from a tailspin,” Bennett said.

A unity government would end the cycle of deadlock that has plunged the country into four elections over the past two years. It also would end the record-setting tenure of Netanyahu, the most dominant figure in Israeli politics over the past three decades.