Bennett to join opposition in forming new Israeli government to oust Netanyahu: Axios

The leader of Israel’s right-wing Yamina party is set to announce a formation of a power-sharing government, Axios reported on Saturday, in a move that could pose a threat to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rule.

Naftali Bennett is expected to announce the move to join opposition leader Yair Lapid as early as Sunday, the report noted, citing sources familiar with the issue.

This could potentially place Bennett as prime minister and pull the brakes on Netanyahu’s two-decade grip on power.

According to the report, Lapid’s new power-sharing government was delayed after Bennett backtracked on the move earlier this month amid the ongoing Israeli offensive on Gaza.

The two met on Thursday and Lapid is now gearing up to recruit other members of his party to join the new “change government” movement, mainly his deputy Ayelet Shaked.

Lapid is expected to meet with other members of his party on Sunday, just days ahead of his deadline to form a government on Wednesday.

Lapid was tasked with forming a government earlier this month after current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to do so.

“If Bennett announces he's joining the ‘change government,’ Lapid wants to sign all coalition agreements by Wednesday, notify Israeli President Reuven Rivlin he managed to form and swear in the new government as early as next Monday,” the report said.

Last week, The Times of Israel reported that an anonymous source told Channel 13: "The government is almost finalised, we are waiting for Bennett."