Yamina chairman Naftali Bennett has reached a final agreement to form a government with Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid, Channel 12 News reported on Friday.

Bennett made his decision despite his statement during Operation Guardian of the Walls that he has dropped the idea of joining a government with the anti-Netanyahu bloc supported by the Islamist Ra’am party.

Bennett is expected to make an official announcement on Sunday or Monday and the government could be sworn in by June 8. However, according to the report, Yamina No. 2 Ayelet Shaked has not fully accepted the plan to join a government with Lapid and the announcement depends on her agreement. However, a Yediot Achranot report said that Shaked has agreed to the plan, saying that any government is better than fifth elections.

The new government would be sworn in in nine days. According to the agreement, Bennett will serve as prime minister first in a rotational agreement until September 2023, followed by Lapid as prime minister until 2025.

While Bennett serves as prime minister, Lapid will serve as deputy prime minister and foreign minister; Shaked will serve as interior minister; Blue and White leader Benny Gantz will continue to serve as defense minister; Yisrael Beiteinu Avigdor Leiberman will serve as finance minister, and New Hope chairman Gideon Sa’ar will serve as justice minister.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)