Shaky Coalition Government in Israel: NPR

Israel had three elections since April 2019 that produced no clear winner. To contain the Covid-19 pandemic, leading rivals Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz agreed to share power in a unit government, despite Gantz’s pledge not to join a government led by his rival. “Netanyahu begins his fifth consecutive term as prime minister one week before he goes on trial for corruption charges,” reports Mark Katov for NPR. “Under their coalition agreement, he and Gantz will switch places in 18 months, though Netanyahu will continue living in the prime minister's official residence.” The new government has 36 ministers, some of whom will also rotate in 18 months, and Gantz will initially serve as defense minister. The two leaders disagree on many issues, including annexation of the occupied West Bank and limits on the country’s independent judiciary. Israel has more than 16,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 272 deaths. – YaleGlobal