Lapid vows to 'do everything' to swiftly form unity government after getting mandate

Yesh Atid chief Yair Lapid issues his first response to being tasked with forming a government by President Reuven Rivlin.

“After two years of political paralysis, Israeli society is hurting. A unity government isn’t a compromise or a last resort — it’s a goal, it’s what we need,” he says in a statement.

Lapid continues: “We need a government that will reflect the fact that we don’t hate one another. A government in which left, right and center will work together to tackle the economic and security challenges we face. A government that will show that our differences are a source of strength, not weakness.”

He also pledged to “do everything” to ensure the swift formation of a new government “so we can get to work for the people of Israel.”