A day after the corruption trial against Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu began, president Reuven Rivlin handed him the mandate to try and form a new government

The new government with a three-year term has the highest number of ministers in Israeli history. It also includes some novel experiments such as designating Benny Gantz as the “alternative and future prime minister” of Israel

Thousands protested against Benjamin Netanyahu continuing on as the Israeli prime minister while corruption cases against him are pending. Protesters accused the two sides of trying to “crush democracy”

Protesters of the Black Flag movement demonstrated against Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces several corruption charges, and protested his government’s anti-democratic and anti-privacy COVID-19 measures

Blue and While alliance’s leader Benny Gantz was invited by the Israeli president to form the government after he received the support of 61 members of the 120-seat Knesset. Gantz has also been supported by the Joint List – the first time in Israel’s history

The Likud-led coalition has once again won 58 seats, three short of a majority. However, the number of seats won by various parties makes the formation of government unlikely

The request for immunity by the Israeli prime minister came hours before the expiry of the deadline to apply for the same. Netanyahu was indicted on criminal charges, including bribery, fraud and breach of trust, in November 2019