Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was officially assigned the task of forming the next Israeli government on Wednesday night by President Reuven Rivlin for an historic fifth term.
The president signed a formal letter of appointment entrusting Netanyahu with the task of forming the coalition that will govern the country in accordance with Basic Law: The Government (2001).
“After speaking representatives of all the parties elected to the Knesset, which were for the first time open and transparent to the public, I hereby declare that 65 members of Knesset recommended that Prime Minister and Member of the Knesset Benjamin Netanyahu be the person entrusted with forming the government,” Rivlin said in presenting Netanyahu with the task.
“This is the fifth time that I have accepted the task of establishing the Israeli government,” Netanyahu said in his acceptance.
“There is no greater privilege in democratic life, and I am as excited as I was the first time and, in a certain way, much more than the first time.
“I am well aware of the magnitude of the responsibility placed on my shoulders and will act as the emissary of the people with all its parts – those who chose me and those who did not choose me,” he added.
Beginning Thursday, Netanyahu will have 28 days within which to organize his coalition, plus an extension of an additional two weeks if the first month does not suffice.