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Netanyahu hopes Iran deal will be steppingstone to Israeli unity government

Iranian nuke deal might present an opportunity for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to expand his narrow coalition.
Yair Lapid, head of Yesh Atid party, speaks to supporters during a conference in Holon near Tel Aviv March 12, 2015. Israelis will vote in a parliamentary election on March 17, choosing among party lists of candidates to serve in the 120-seat Knesset. REUTERS/Amir Cohen (ISRAEL - Tags: ELECTIONS POLITICS) - RTR4T55G
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On July 13, the day that preceded the signing of the nuclear agreement between Iran and the superpowers, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wasn’t the only Israeli leader to brace himself for the blow. So did the heads of the two largest opposition factions, Zionist Camp leader Isaac Herzog and Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid.

Ever since the current government was formed, Herzog and Lapid have been fighting for recognition as influential players who can contend with Netanyahu in the diplomatic and security spheres. Now they have finally been given a chance to lash out at the prime minister in the area that he practically dominates. Because they are locked in an open struggle over who is the senior opposition leader — who ultimately sets the tone — they have been particularly aggressive in their campaign against Netanyahu.

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