Israeli Opposition and Arab Parties Plan Law to Bar Indicted Netanyahu from Forming Government

Opposition parties in Israel are reportedly nearing an agreement with the Arab parties Ra'am and the United List to advance legislation that would prevent any individual facing criminal indictment from being tasked with forming a government. This move, reported by Channel 14, aims to block Benjamin Netanyahu from forming a government if he is indicted.

The proposed law would be fast-tracked for approval immediately after the swearing-in of a new Knesset, even before a government is formed, provided the right-wing bloc lacks the necessary 61 seats for a majority. This initiative was previously considered during the Bennett-Lapid government but was blocked by then-Minister Ayelet Shaked, who was the sole opponent, preventing a coalition majority.

Sources familiar with the discussions indicate that unlike the previous attempt, there are no anticipated internal opponents within the current opposition bloc. The plan is for all opposition parties and the Arab factions to support the legislation. The significance of this initiative lies in its potential to prevent Netanyahu from receiving a mandate from the president to form a government until he secures a Knesset majority to repeal the law, regardless of how many elections are held.

Even with repeated elections, the president would be unable to task Netanyahu with forming a cabinet if the right-wing bloc does not have 61 seats and the law is in effect. Insiders suggest that a key difference this time is the absence of a figure like Ayelet Shaked who could halt the process. All party leaders are reportedly committed to passing the law as one of the first legislative actions of the next Knesset.