Israeli Politicians Face Deadline to Form Government
Voice of America
An ideologically broad group of Israeli political parties trying to unseat longtime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have until the end of the day Wednesday to seal an agreement to form a coalition government.
The effort is led by Yesh Atid party head Yair Lapid. President Reuven Rivlin gave Lapid the opportunity to bring together a coalition of parties that could amass a majority in the 120-seat Knesset after Netanyahu failed to do so in early May. Lapid got a boost Sunday when Naftali Bennett, who leads the hardline nationalist Yamina party, said he would join the coalition. An agreement would see Bennett serve the first two years as prime minister before Lapid rotates into the role. Israel has been in a period political turmoil for two years, during which the country has held four elections.FILE - A child kicks a football in front of a mural of the country's first Black president and leader of the ruling African National Congress Nelson Mandela, in Soweto, South Africa, as the country celebrates Freedom Day, on April 27, 2024. FILE - South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, center, dances to music as he attends Freedom Day celebrations in Pretoria, South Africa, on April 27, 2024. FILE - Main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) party leader John Steenhuisen waves to supporters in Pretoria, South Africa, on Feb. 17, 2024, at the party's manifesto launch ahead of the 2024 general elections. FILE - Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema at the party's manifesto launch in Durban, South Africa, on Feb. 10, 2024. FILE - Former South African president, Jacob Zuma, sings and dances after addressing his supporters of the UMkhonto WeSizwe, (MK) party outside the High court in Johannesburg, South Africa, on April 11, 2024.
Ella Anthony, left, and her partner Doris Ezuruike Chinons pose for a photo with their dog Paddy, during an interview in their house in Passo Corese, near Rome, Italy, March 11, 2024. Ella Anthony and her partner Doris Ezuruike Chinons show photos of themselves during an interview in their house in Passo Corese, near Rome, Italy, March 11, 2024. FILE - Chris Agiriga, 23, one of the Nigerian men arrested on charges of public display of affection with members of the same sex, walks with a friend on the streets of Mushin in Lagos, Feb. 14, 2020. Ella Anthony smiles during an interview in the supermarket where she works, in Rome, Italy, March 26, 2024.
FILE- The world's largest mud-brick building, the Great Mosque of Djenne, Mali, awaits its annual replastering, May 10, 2024. Former guide Kola Bah, who has been unemployed since Mali's conflict started and now sells from his small herd of cattle when he needs to make ends meet, poses for a photograph in Djenne, Mali, May 9, 2024. The streets of old town Djenne, Mali, once filled with tourists, stand empty, May 9, 2024.
FILE - Children attend a makeshift class in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, April 21, 2024. FILE - Manal Al Buhaisi works with children at a makeshift class in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, on April 21, 2024. FILE - Children attend an activity at a makeshift class in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, April 21, 2024.