Rivlin appoints Netanyahu to form government

During a ceremony at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, President Reuven Rivlin formally tasks Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with forming the next government.

He urges the Likud leader to form a coalition that is stable and “as wide as possible.”

Rivlin says that the next government has three major responsibilities — protecting relations with the US, stabilizing the Israeli political system, and healing the social discord that arose during the elections.

In a barely disguised criticism of Netanyahu’s statements during the election, Rivlin says that “things were said that didn’t need to be said.”

All sides said things that should not have been said in either a Jewish state or a democratic state, the president says.

“Today is the time to start healing the wounds.”

The chilly relations between the leaders are evident from their body language during the event.

Netanyahu, set to become prime minister for the fourth time, says he accepts the “deep responsibility” placed on his shoulders, and that he is “moved like it is the first time.”

“I see myself as the prime minister of each and every one of you, those who voted for me, and those did not,” says Netanyahu.

He says he will work to lower housing and prices, and to break up monopolies.

The PM also speaks of Israel’s desire for peace, saying “Our hand is stretched out for peace with our Palestinian neighbors.”

Nonetheless, he stresses, Israel’s very existence depends on its strength.

He emphasizes that he values the vital Israeli alliance with the US. But, nonetheless, he says, will keep fighting against the emerging nuclear deal with Iran, which he says would endanger Israel, the region and the world.