Netanyahu secures votes to form next Israeli government

Netanyahu's Likud party has won 36 Knesset seats in the April 9 election

By Abdelraouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has secured the required Knesset (parliament) support to form the upcoming government, according to Israeli media.

The right-wing parties of Yisrael Beiteinu and United Right on Tuesday informed President Reuven Rivlin of their recommendations to task Netanyahu with forming the Cabinet.

On Monday, Blue and White coalition -- the main rival of Netanyahu-led Likud party -- recommended its leader Benny Gantz to form the government. Gantz was also recommended by the Labor Party.

Arab Knesset members, for their part, have refrained from supporting any Knesset members.

On Monday, Rivlin began consultation with parties that won seats in the Knesset to task a member with forming the next government.

Netanyahu's Likud party has won 36 Knesset seats in the April 9 election.

Kaynak: