With the 22nd Knesset swearing-in on Thursday, Speaker Yuli Edelstein is exhibiting an air of optimism, that the current Knesset will outlive its predecessor, the 21st Knesset, which was the shortest in the history of Knesset.

Speaking with Reshet Bet Radio, the speaker explained the new government will soon become a reality, and “with a little goodwill”, a broad-based national unity government can be formed. Edelstein used the interview to dispel accusations that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu wants to take the nation to a third round of elections, insisting the Likud party, of which he is a member, is genuinely interested in establishing a coalition government and not elections.

Edelstein clarified PM Netanyahu will declare himself “incapacitated” if a criminal indictment is filed against him, all for the sake of permitting the formation of a unity government. This means he will step down pending the outcome of criminal proceedings against him. During this period, another person would take over for him, assuming the leadership of the nation.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)