2021 Elections

Haredi MK: 'We can't be bought with money'

MK Gafni, UTJ chief, says he received offer of position in exchange for abstaining from vote on formation of government.

More trouble for PM Bennett?

Yamina MK refuses to resign under Norwegian Law

Kara is a deputy minister in the PMO, wants to keep his Knesset seat too.

'Bennett is a secretary, Lapid and Liberman are the rulers'

'The Arabs understood that they were fooled, if you destroy their homes, they'll bring down the government,' MK Yisrael Eichler says.

'Gaining control of Balfour is like conquering the Bastille'

Finance Min. Liberman says he hopes haredi parties spend 'many years' in opposition, claims to want to 'live and let live.'

'If UAL have any sense, they won't visit terrorists in prison'

Yamina MK clarifies: United Arab List not intending to focus on nationalist issues at the moment.

Survey: Just 11% believe incoming government will last its term

New poll shows 61% believe PM-to-be Naftali Bennett joined 'bloc for change' due to personal ambitions, 43% say gov't will be short-lived.

Yesh Atid and New Hope publish planned government roles

Two of the incoming parties in the new government have announced their proposed roles for MKs.

Jewish Home chair turns down offer of ministry

Yamina party says Jewish Home chair uninterested in becoming a minister, despite accepting offer in pre-election agreement.

CNN analyst: Biden administration can 'start fresh' with Bennett

'Biden opportunity will treat this as opportunity to start fresh,' CNN's Jake Tapper estimates in podcast.

Most Likud voters want former Mossad chief to replace Netanyahu

Over a quarter of Likud voters believe former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen is best candidate to replace PM Netanyahu, new poll shows.

Formation of new government completed

Yamina and Yesh Atid parties sign coalition agreement, all agreements submitted to the Knesset Secretariat.

Budget for Judea and Samaria infrastructure won't be touched

Following MK Michaeli's promise of limited budget for Judea, Samaria, infrastructure, right-wing parties secure continuation of status quo.

'Netanyahu and I made a mistake in dissolving the Knesset'

'Mistake to dissolve Knesset, I will help whoever my replacement happens to be,' promises outgoing Interior Min. Deri.

Yamina MK: 'Likud offered me the Health Ministry'

'One of the parents at school turned to my son and told him, 'Your mother is the devil, may she burn in hell,'' MK Idit Silman reveals.

Likud MK: 'It's not a disaster to sit in the opposition'

'No need for primaries now, it costs a lot of money. There's no question Netanyahu leads the opposition,' Likud's MK Bitan says.

'Civil Administration can't stop Arab takeover of Area C'

Activists pen letter to New Hope MKs, urging them not to compromise on coalition demand, insist new administration be under their authority.

Yesh Atid MK concerned over whether government will pass

'We still have a PM who is not wiling to give up and let go,' says Yesh Atid's MK Ben Ari.

Haredi newspaper: 'Decrees of destruction by hostile gov't'

Haredi newspapers slam coalition agreements, claim new government harmful to religion, status quo.

Shas rabbis call for prayers to annul 'government of wickedness'

Shas rabbis call for prayers and supplications after 'those who hate G-d' 'joined together to form government of wickedness.'

Joint Arab List to break apart over coalition vote?

If Ta'al faction supports new government as others oppose it, Joint Arab List may break apart, sources say.

Smotrich: Bennett will be a puppet of the Left

'Naftali Bennett will be prime minister in name and in ego, but a complete puppet of the Left,' Religious Zionism chair MK Smotrich says.

Unity government secures majority, will be sworn in Sunday

Knesset Speaker sets date for inauguration of new government. MK Nir Orbach vows to back gov't, ensuring it a majority.

Israel's Draft Law: Knesset comes full circle

Coalition agreements include changes to religious status quo in Israel, aim to legislate Draft Law initially approved in 2018.

Arab MK: Israel contaminates Al Aqsa Mosque

MK Taha, of the United Arab List, accuses Israel of 'contaminating' Al Aqsa Mosque, 'aggression' in Jerusalem and Gaza.

'Coalition agreements abandon the Negev'

Coalition agreement whitewashes illegal construction, hands government to United Arab List, Regavim organization says.

Proposal: PM Netanyahu to take a break from public life

New proposal would remove PM Netanyahu from politics, place MK Gideon Sa'ar in Prime Minister's Office.

Shas MK: 'We will make life miserable for the government'

'This is a paralyzed government, there's nothing they'll manage to push forward together,' MK Malkieli says.

The coalition deal guaranteeing Lapid will get his turn as PM

After Likud - Blue and White government collapsed over budget battle, Yamina and Yesh Atid work out clause ensuring Lapid will serve as PM.

'I am part of the New Hope party'

New Hope's MK Elkin denies reports that he plans to bring down incoming government. 'I'm part of the New Hope party, committed to its path.'

Nir Orbach's rabbi: He should vote against 'change' government

Rabbi Shaneh stressed, however, that Orbach should not feel bound by his opinion - his decision will be his own.

UAL chief: 'I held talks with Netanyahu yesterday'

'I held negotiations with both sides, there was an open relationship and we spoke about everything,' United Arab List chief MK Abbas says.

MK Orbach breaks with party to oppose replacing Knesset Speaker

Decision means 'bloc for change' no longer has majority for replacing current Likud Speaker.

MK Chikli: Yamina handed the Crime Minister movement its victory

'It's not true that 'everything was tried' to form a right-wing gov't,' alleges Yamina MK who will vote 'against' Lapid-Bennett coalition.

UAL agreement: Most illegal Bedouin villages to be recognized

United Arab List's coalition agreement with Yesh Atid: Over 52b poured into plans for Arab sector, no enforcement of construction laws.

Yamina refuses coalition demands made by United Arab List

As part of coalition talks, United Arab List demands cancellation of law allowing improved enforcement of construction laws. Yamina refuses.

Smotrich tried to convince two Blue and White MKs to join gov't

MK Smotrich, Religious Zionism chair, offered senior ministry, membership on top Cabinet, to Blue & White MKs willing to desert, join gov't.

Mansour Abbas demands: No pro-LGBT laws

Ahead of deadline to form government, United Arab List demands center-left parties compromise on LGBT issues as condition for support.

'He who wanted to put us in garbage dumps will be Finance Min.?'

MK Eichler criticizes appointment of Yisrael Beytenu's MK Liberman as Finance Minister. 'He said he'd take us to the garbage dumps.'

Former minister: 'Is Netanyahu more important than the Torah?'

Former Justice Min. Ramon criticizes haredi parties, asks why they do not demand PM Netanyahu step down.

Change Government:

Lapid holds joint meeting with Bennett, Shaked, Sa'ar, Liberman

Leaders of four opposition parties meet ahead of establishment of unity government led by Bennett and Lapid.

'Obligation to do everything to prevent center-left government'

Haredi Councils of Torah Sages urge Yamina to backtrack on unity government, warns center-left aims to 'persecute religion.'

Likud MK slams 'strange government'

'Strange government will endanger the security of the State of Israel,' Likud's MK Zohar says.

'Bennett not legally allowed to serve as prime minister first'

'Under Basic Law, only MK Lapid can serve first as prime minister,' Likud party notes in statement to legal advisers.

Will the Joint Arab List oppose the new government?

Senior Joint Arab List official says party divided on whether to support unity government led by MKs Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett.

Meretz MK proposes banning Jewish outreach aimed at minors

MK Tamar Zandberg proposes bill banning Jewish outreach activities for children, compares outreach to Christian missionary activity.

Ehud Barak: Bennett has courageously jumped into the pool

Former PM Ehud Barak congratulates Yamina party on decision to join center-left government, claims PM Netanyahu is 'still dangerous.'

Netanyahu's tempting offer to Shaked

'Ayelet Shaked has worked more than anyone else to form a right-wing government,' spokesperson says.

'We didn't learn from Rabin's assassination'

'Fact that public officials are threatened shows we haven't learned lesson from Rabin assassination,' Defense Minister Gantz says.

Bennett's decision is 'a disaster,' Nobel prize winner says

Prof. Yisrael Aumann, Israeli mathematician and Nobel Prize winner, says Yamina decision to join up with Lapid 'warping' democracy.

'Smotrich has expressed willingness to sit with Meretz'

Yamina MK Kara slams Religious Zionism chief for 'campaigns filled with hate,' says PM Netanyahu is 'world champion in breaking promises.'

Smotrich: Vote Bennett and you get Lapid

"The ability of Naftali Bennett to lie in front of the cameras is simply awe-inspiring," says MK Bezalel Smotrich.

Yamina MK to Sa'ar: 'How sad that your ego trumps your ideology'

Yamina MK blasts New Hope head for refusal to join right-wing government.

Watch: Would a 'change' unity government be legitimate?

Panelists debate on i24NEWS whether a government formed with Lapid and Bennett would be 'legitimate.'

Bennett expected to announce decision within two days

Yamina's MKs Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked have finalized decision to prevent fifth elections, report says.

Survey: Most New Hope, Yamina, voters oppose new government

Survey shows 60% of New Hope voters, over 70% of Yamina voters, oppose government reliant on Arab party.

Prime Minister Bennett?

This is what a 'government of change' will look like

Yamina is expected to announce its decision to join the 'bloc of change' in forming Likud-less government. Here's what that might look like.

Yesh Atid, Labor, reach coalition agreement

Labor party to receive several ministries, plus seats on Diplomatic-Security Cabinet, statement says.

Likud: 'Bennett received everything he wanted'

Likud sources say party reached final agreement with Yamina, giving its chair MK Bennett everything he demanded.

Shaked 'willing to sacrifice political career'

Opposition to 'government of change' has dropped, Yamina source says.

'Agreements with Yamina possible in less than 24 hours'

Yesh Atid MK Levy says he's 'very optimistic,' new government is ready and waiting on only Yamina.