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Tough dealing ahead for Netanyahu Tough dealing ahead for Netanyahu
(39 minutes later)
By Jonathan Marcus BBC Diplomatic Correspondent Mr Netanyahu has first call to try to build an Israeli governmentBy Jonathan Marcus BBC Diplomatic Correspondent Mr Netanyahu has first call to try to build an Israeli government
Benjamin Netanyahu was always the more likely to be given first chance at forming a new government. Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who was Israeli Prime Minister during the 1990s, now has the chance of a significant political comeback.
While the Kadima leader and foreign minister Tzipi Livni won most seats in the general election, the political right as a bloc emerged much stronger than the left. But the immediate question is not so much can he form a coalition government, but rather what sort of government will it be?
It is a decision that has huge implications for the region as a whole. But this is not by any means the end of the coalition-building process.
Likud leader Mr Netanyahu, who was prime minister during the 1990s, has the chance of a significant political comeback.
But the question now is not so much can he form a coalition government, but rather what sort of government will it be?
Mr Netanyahu likes to see himself as a man of destiny.Mr Netanyahu likes to see himself as a man of destiny.
He is an admirer of the great British war-time leader Winston Churchill. He is an admirer of the great British wartime leader Winston Churchill.
And to paraphrase Churchill, this is not the end of the coalition-building process in Israel but rather the end of the beginning. And, to paraphrase Churchill, this is not the end of the coalition-building process in Israel but rather only the end of the beginning.
Stage one is over. Mr Netanyahu has first call to try to build a government.Stage one is over. Mr Netanyahu has first call to try to build a government.
Ranged to the right of his own Likud formation he has a variety of parties including the Russian immigrant-backed Yisrael Beitenu; the orthodox Jewish religious parties like Shas; and the ultra-nationalist splinter formations from the break-up of the National Religious Party. Ranged to the right of his own Likud formation he has a variety of parties including the Russian immigrant-backed Yisrael Beitenu; orthodox Jewish religious parties like Shas; and the ultra-nationalist splinter formations from the break-up of the National Religious Party.
These together could give him a majority in the 120-seat Knesset, or parliament.These together could give him a majority in the 120-seat Knesset, or parliament.
Secular group No concessions
He would first have to reconcile Shas with the stridently secular Yisrael Beitenu. He would first, of course, have to reconcile Shas with the stridently secular Yisrael Beitenu.The leader of Yisrael Beitenu, Avigdor Lieberman, is a key coalition figure
But this government of the right and ultra-right would be formed to do what? Yisrael Beitenu calls for the introduction of civil marriage in Israel and for the end to what it sees as the religious parties' blackmail of the Israeli political system.
It could easily find itself on a collision course with the Obama administration in Washington. But what would a government of the right and ultra-right be formed to do?
Most Israeli commentators believe that Mr Netanyahu's goal is still as broadly based a coalition as possible. It clearly would not be there to make concessions to the Palestinians. There would be strong pressures from within such a coalition to go full steam ahead on settlement-building on the West Bank.
This is clearly what Israeli President Shimon Peres would prefer. Such a government could easily find itself on a collision course with the Obama administration in Washington.
This analysis discounts claims from Kadima or the Labour Party that they are heading into opposition as so much rhetoric. Most Israeli commentators believe that Mr Netanyahu's goal is still to build as broadly-based a coalition as possible.
This is clearly what the Israeli President Shimon Peres would prefer. And it is what Mr Netanyahu himself has said he wants to do.
He has called upon both the Kadima leader Tzipi Livni and the Labour Party head, Ehud Barak, to join him in a broad, national unity coalition.
Analysts discount claims from Kadima or Labour leaders that they are heading into opposition as so much rhetoric.
What really matters now is what jobs are on offer and what policies a national unity government might pursue.
Unity on Iran
The challenges ahead are enormous.
For a start there is the economic crisis. Unemployment is rising, Israel is being battered by the same economic forces that are hitting the wider global economy and urgent action is needed.
On the security front there is still the unfinished business of the Gaza ceasefire. One theme has emerged clearly: the need... to be ready to tackle the Iran problem at source
There is also the stuttering Annapolis peace process between Israel and Fatah and the need to craft a good relationship with the new team in Washington.
But looming over everything else is the question of Iran and its nuclear programme.
Mr Netanyahu mentioned this specifically when accepting the president's call to form a new government.
Israel's fragmented and feuding political class can be accused of many things: an absence of vision; of narrow ambition; and a failure of statesmanship.
But one issue and one issue alone draws out the statesman in all of them, and that is Iran.
In numerous discussions with Israeli analysts and commentators over recent days one theme has emerged clearly: the need, perhaps within a year or 18 months, to be ready to tackle the Iran problem at source.
This issue unites politicians across the political spectrum. The Obama administration will be given ample time to pursue its diplomatic opening towards Tehran.
But if it fails Israel is going to be ready to act.
To do this the country needs a stable government. And it needs a government that is not so ideologically-driven that it inevitably clashes with Washington at every turn.
Mr Netanyahu now has a job on his hands. But the real horse-trading is only just beginning.Mr Netanyahu now has a job on his hands. But the real horse-trading is only just beginning.