Rivlin chides Netanyahu ahead of tasking him to build coalition

Receiving official election results, president criticizes Likud head for comments against Arab voters; PM said to make coalition promises to Kahlon, UTJ

By Lazar Berman

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and Marissa Newman 25 March 2015, 7:20 pm

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President Reuven Rivlin on Wednesday received the final results of last Tuesday’s election, and was set to formally task Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — who received 67 recommendations from MKs for the premiership — with building the next coalition.

During a ceremony in the President’s Residence on Tuesday evening, Rivlin spared no criticism for Netanyahu’s remarks during the election day that Arab Israelis were “voting in droves,” without naming the prime minister.

“We’ve received a higher turnout than in previous years,” Rivlin said, adding that it is “a blessing for democracy.”

“Woe to us if we see in the fulfillment of the democratic duty of voting a curse or something that must be warned against. Those afraid of ballots in the box will ultimately receive stone-throwing in the streets,” he added.

During the voting, Netanyahu sent out a message that Arabs were voting “in droves” in a bid to drum up right-wing support. The remarks were fiercely criticized in Israel and by the US administration. The prime minister this week expressed remorse over the comments.

On Wednesday, Rivlin held a joint press conference with Central Elections Committee head Salim Joubran, who formally handed over the results to the president. The president said he would give the candidate who received the most recommendations for the premiership the first opportunity to build a coalition. Netanyahu received 67 votes from MKs earlier in the week, clinching support from a majority of Israel’s 120 lawmakers.

The prime minister has already begun coalition talks, meeting with the leaders of the Kulanu, Jewish Home, Shas, United Torah Judaism and Yisrael Beytenu parties in the last few days, but is expected to run into some difficulties in distributing senior positions among his future partners.

He is likely to encounter challenges over the defense portfolio — a position sought by Jewish Home head Naftali Bennett and Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman, while Likud hopes to keep Moshe Ya’alon in the position.

According to Channel 2, Netanyahu met with members of United Torah Judaism on Wednesday, and promised them the Health Ministry and control over the Knesset Finance Committee. On Tuesday he reportedly promised Kulanu leader Moshe Kahlon the Finance Ministry portfolio.

Netanyahu also met with Yisrael Beytenu chief Avigdor Liberman earlier Tuesday. Liberman told Channel 2 that his meeting with Netanyahu went well, but would not elaborate. He said that nothing has yet been promised to him, and emphasized he understands that he will not receive all of his demands.

The Jewish Home party announced Tuesday its demands in the coalition talks – the defense, education and religious affairs ministries, Haaretz reported.

The party — which holds eight Knesset seats — will likely join the coalition even if it does not receive all three portfolios, analysts say.

Netanyahu also met with Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, who is vying for the Interior Ministry, on Wednesday.

Netanyahu will have four weeks to form his government, with an option to extend talks for another two.

Moshe Kahlon, head of the Kulanu party, returns to his hometown of Givat Olga Tuesday Mar. 17, 2015 to accompany his mother to the voting booth. (Photo credit: Judah Ari Gross/Times of Israel) — Moshe Kahlon, head of the Kulanu party, returns to his hometown of Givat Olga Tuesday March 17, 2015 to accompany his mother to the voting booth. (Photo credit: Judah Ari Gross/Times of Israel)

Aside from handing appointments to coalition partners, Netanyahu will also have to find roles for several MKs in his Likud faction, which won 30 seats in last week’s election, becoming the largest faction in the Knesset.

Likud party officials announced that they would move to ensure that no. 3 on the party’s list, Yuli Edelstein, will be reelected as Knesset speaker. Senior Likud representatives are expected to demand a large number of top cabinet positions from Netanyahu, owing to the large size of the party.

Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman, speaks to the press in Jerusalem on March 23, 2015. (photo credit: Miriam Alster/FLASh90)

Analysts believe the incoming government will be formed by right-wing and religious parties, some of which oppose the creation of a Palestinian state, and that if Netanyahu bows to international pressure to disengage or evacuate settlements in the West Bank, he could risk a coalition break-up leading to new elections.

In Israel, prime ministers are given a mandate to govern for four years, but terms rarely last that long due to coalition infighting and eventual government breakdowns.

Meretz, Yesh Atid, Zionist Union and the Joint (Arab) List are expected to sit in the opposition.

Avi Lewis and Times of Israel staff contributed to this report