Labor nominates Lapid as prime minister

The Labor party nominates Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid to form the next government.

That brings the number of Lapid backers to 32, while Netanyahu has 46 and Bennett has seven.

Labor MK Omer Barlev says Lapid is the head of the largest party opposed to Netanyahu and should therefore be tasked with forming a government. He also notes that Yesh Atid’s views are closer to Labor ideologically than those on the right.

Barlev urges all parties opposed to Netanyahu to put their differences aside and recommend Lapid as prime minister.

The Labor lawmaker says his party is willing to join a Lapid-led government with any political party and does not disqualify anyone — except for Netanyahu.

The consultations, now at the halfway point, are set to break for two hours.  At 4 p.m., Yisrael Beytenu will head to the President’s Residence, followed by Religious Zionism, Joint List, New Hope, Meretz and Ra’am.