Benny Gantz has officially returned his government forming mandate to Israeli president Reuven Rivlin just a few hours before the midnight deadline. This means that Israel now enters the uncharted waters of a 21-day period during which any member of the Knesset can try to form a government or nominate another member to do so as long as that member accepts.
While at first glance this may seem doomed to failure and another round of elections in March all but inevitable, the incredible challenges and opportunities that are facing Israel at this moment in time may cause certain realignments in the political scene that would allow a coalition government to be formed.
What is beyond doubt, however, is that this government will not be a minority left-Arab government and that it will be headed by no other than incumbent PM Netanyahu whether at the head of a center-right government with support from more centrist elements in the Blue and White party or at the head of a unity government that enjoys the broad support of the entire Blue and White faction.
This is a developing story.
