[VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Monday, 2 Rosh Chodesh Iyar, visited President Reuven Rivlin to request a 14-day extension to continue efforts to assemble a coalition government.

Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “Mr. President, I have come this morning to request an extension so that I may complete the work of forming a government. We have made progress and are on the way to forming a government. However, I require additional time in order for the government to be stable and so that we might reach agreement on important issues that will aid us in meeting the challenges facing the State of Israel.”

President Rivlin said, “Mr. Prime Minister, there being no change in the circumstances regarding the recommendation according to which I assigned the responsibility to you, and in the wake of your updating me about your ability to complete the work of forming a government within the allotted time, I hereby give you an extension of 14 days in order to complete the formation of a government. The President’s consideration is not limited in giving an extension but [the total period] cannot be longer than the 42 days provided by law. I wish you success in your work. The entire people of Israel hope that a government will be established; indeed, a transition government has not received the confidence of the Knesset and is viewed by the public as needing to be dealt with. I hope that in the coming days you will succeed in forming a stable government for the State of Israel.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)