<span style="color: #222222;">Israel's Supreme Court has ruled that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may form a new government while under indictment for corruption charges, clearing the way for him and his rival-turned-uneasy ally to join together in a controversial power-sharing deal.<br />'' <br />'' Earlier, Netanyahu and his rival-turned-partner, Benny Gantz, said they expected their coalition to be sworn into office at the earliest. Their unanimous decision, has ended a 17-month political stalemate and prevented the country from plunging into a fourth consecutive election in just over a year.<br />'' <br />'' After battling to three inconclusive elections over the past year, Netanyahu and Gantz, a former military chief, announced their emergency government last month, saying they would put aside their rivalry to steer the country through the coronavirus crisis.<br />'' <br />'' The two sides agreed on a coalition deal that makes the two men equal partners, with virtual veto power over each other's decisions. Because of the nature of arrangement, the Knesset must pass new legislation before they take office.<br />'' <br />'' Under the deal, Netanyahu and Gantz would be sworn-in together, with Netanyahu serving first as prime minister and Gantz as the designated premier. After 18 months, the two are to swap positions.<br />'' <br />'' The new position will enjoy all the trappings of the prime minister, including an official residence and, key for Netanyahu, an exemption from a law that requires public officials who are not prime minister to resign if charged with a crime.<br />'' <br />'' Critics and good-government groups said the deal was illegal and challenged it in the Supreme Court.<br />'' <br />'' They argued that the law should bar an official charged with serious crimes from continuing as prime minister.<br />'' <br />'' They also objected to the newly created position of alternate prime minister, a post that could allow Netanyahu to remain in office throughout his corruption trial and a potential appeals process.<br />'' <br />'' However, In its decision, the 11-judge panel expressed misgivings about the coalition agreement and Netanyahu's criminal indictment, but found no grounds to prevent the government from taking office.<br />'' <br />''<br />''The court said Netanyahu would need to abide by a conflict of interest arrangement while prime minister whenever dealing with law enforcement affairs.</span><br />