Israeli opposition parties strike governing deal

A coalition of political parties said they agreed to a new governing coalition hours before a midnight deadline on Wednesday. The deal between centrist opposition leader Yair Lapid and right-wing tech millionaire Naftali Bennet prevented Israel’s fifth consecutive election in just over two years. If the parliament approves the agreement, it could mark the end of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s 12-year rule.

What does the deal entail? Lapid and Bennet will rotate the prime minister position over four years. Bennet, a one-time Netanyahu ally, will take the first two years. The coalition has drawn together a vast array of parties across the political spectrum, including the left-wing Meretz party and Bennet’s right-wing Yamina party. The United Arab List also became the first Arab party to join a governing bloc. Netanyahu, who is currently facing corruption charges, is expected to fight against the agreement before the parliamentary vote next week.

Dig deeper: Read Jill Nelson’s report on Israel’s fragile ceasefire.