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Back to October 2019: Rivlin should conclude that the fact that Gantz has not collected enough recommendations for lawmakers does not necessarily prevent him from forming a government.

Granted, a scenario in which he succeeds is highly unlikely and probably too complicated to achieve. But the mandate should nonetheless be given to him.

Naturally from what we've seen so far, Gantz will try to form a unity government, but he also has an ace up his sleeve that Netanyahu does not – the prospect of a minority government of 57 MKs from the center-left bloc with outside support from the Joint List of Arab parties, coupled with the reluctance of Avigdor Liberman to oppose such a move.

Such a government would be based on an agreement whereby some central ministerial positions would be held for the Likud, in order to keep open the option of expanding the coalition into a unity government within the coming months.

Forming a minority government – and maintaining it – is difficult and will require ingenuity, experience and political courage.

But it is a matter of principle to not outright disqualify such a government.

It is likely to be a last-case scenario sort of solution, given the notion that a minority government is seen as the worst option and we in Israel are unused to it. but it is still a viable and even successful option in many democracies all over the world.

This is a solution for situations in which a government does not have a parliamentary majority.

For decades, this sort of government ruled in the Scandinavian countries, forming ad hoc agreements with other parties outside the government.

Want an emergency plan for the violence in the Arab communities? Reach an agreement with the Arab parties.

Want to increase the participation of ultra-Orthodox men in the job market? Either find partners with the Likud party or come to an understanding with the ultra-Orthodox.

A government that enjoys a strong and firm majority sometimes forgets to look beyond its own party lines.

A minority government would have to facilitate a permanent dialogue with every part of society, something that is not inherently bad.

Therefore, the president would do well to explore all options for forming a government, before we find ourselves sucked into another election cycle that might perpetuate the current political stagnation.