2022 Elections

Police surround Knesset:

Hundreds of left-wing protesters gather to protest incoming gvt.

"Largest-ever police contingent around Knesset building."

Live from the Knesset:

Prime Minister-designate Netanyahu addresses the plenum

Netanyahu's speech was punctuated by boos from the opposition. Five MKs were ejected from the plenum.

New government to be sworn into office today

Day begins with special Knesset session, concludes with traditional photo.

Coalition agreements today:

Parties commit to enact multiple religious right-wing policies

New govt to overturn many of outgoing govt's signature measures, focus on Jewish identity.

Lapid: Netanyahu sold out the country to the 'hardalim'

Outgoing PM fumes at coalition accord between Religious Zionism and Likud.

Coalition agreement with Religious Zionism published in full

All government responses to High Court on settlements to require Smotrich's approval.

Likud MK insists: Top portfolios must remain within Likud

MK Shlomo Karhi insists Finance, Defense, and Foreign ministries remain within the Likud.

Famous Israeli singer:

'Happy with the results of the elections - this is democracy'

'Netanyahu is a very very smart man, and he won't let Itamar Ben-Gvir shake up the country,' singer Yehoram Gaon says.

How are Israeli-Arabs reacting to Netanyahu's victory?

Arab editor of PA outlet calls the newly-elected government the 'most radical, right-wing' in Israel's history.

Netanyahu sets deadline for forming government

Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu sets middle of next week as deadline for swearing in new government.

Netanyahu trying to sow division between Smotrich, Ben-Gvir?

After encouraging the two to run together, Netanyahu is now negotiating separately with the two - and accepting some of Ben-Gvir's demands.

Meretz Minister:

'Meretz and Labor's historic role has come to an end'

Esawi Frej calls for establishment of a new political framework in place of Meretz and Labor that will be open to the Arab public.

Haredi MK responds to Left's doomsday cries

'Anyone who thinks to leave Israel - apparently the Land of Israel isn't important to him,' MK Uri Maklev says.

Gantz to remain Defense Minister?

Defense Min. Benny Gantz may be offered to join coalition in exchange for remaining in his position, sources say.

Likud MK on Defense Ministry: 'Netanyahu won't be extorted'

'Likud will have a large number of portfolios, we insist on at least two of the three senior portfolios,' MK Miki Zohar says.

Haredi newspaper: 'Smotrich has no more than 7 MKs behind him'

Yated Ne'eman slams Religious Zionism chief MK Bezalel Smotrich for demanding Defense Ministry with 'no more than 7 MKs behind him.'

Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu:

'We'll have right-wing government soon, there's mutual respect'

Otzma Yehudit MK-elect Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu says coalition negotiations nearing their end, new government will heal rifts.

25th Knesset to be sworn in Tuesday

New Knesset, elected two weeks ago, to replace 24th Knesset Tuesday. 23 new MKs set to join the Knesset.

MK-elect: 'Murderous delegitimization campaign against Smotrich'

Almog Cohen, MK-elect from Otzma Yehudit, emphasizes: 'This is what the people chose, Bezalel Smotrich will be an excellent minister.'

Senior UTJ member:

'Deri's demands are just an act to get Smotrich to give up'

A member of the haredi UTJ party told INN that the Shas leader 'does not see a reason or an interest to take the finance portfolio.

Coalition talks:

Smotrich meets with rabbis to get support for coalition demands

The Religious Zionism chair is seeking to receive the Defense, Education, and Religious Affairs portfolios.

Women of the Wall to Netanyahu

'Don't appoint Ben Gvir as Public Security minister'

The feminist non-Orthodox organization claims that the appointment of the Otzma Yehudit chairman will create an open season for liberal Jews

Shas negotiator:

'Only 50% chance that Deri will choose finance portfolio'

Shas's Yehuda Avidan explains the difference between Deri and Smotrich's economic outlooks, says his party chairman will decide by tomorrow

Watch:

Benjamin Netanyahu receives mandate to form Israel's government

Ceremony takes place at the Presidential Residence.

Religious Zionism:

'Bezalel Smotrich will be the next Defense Minister'

Party also wants Education, Religious Affairs portfolios

Coalition negotiations:

Deri opts for Finance; Likud wants Defense for itself

Religious Zionism: Smotrich will be next Defense Minister

Is Ron Dermer poised to become Foreign Minister?

Former ambassador to US is Netanyahu's "closest friend"

2022 Elections:

Netanyahu heads to President's Residence to receive mandate

Likud sources want to keep Defense, give Smotrich Finance Ministry

Ben-Gvir's new demand:

Cancel recognition of Reform conversion in Law of Return

Change to law would overturn Supreme Court ruling.

Haredi MK: 'Without the Override Clause, there's no government'

Degel Hatorah faction holds post-election event, MK Gafni promises: 'All decrees will be canceled, I don't care what they write about us.'

Report:

Netanyahu leaving negotiations with Religious Zionism for last

PM-elect Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to avoid giving Defense Ministry to Religious Zionism's MK Bezalel Smotrich, report says.

Poll:

Most of Lapid and Gantz's voters prefer unity government

Poll conducted for Channel 12 News: 76% of those who voted for anti-Netanyahu bloc support a unity government.

Herzog announces Netanyahu will be given mandate to form gov't

President Herzog completes consultations with Knesset factions, announces plans to task Netanyahu with forming a new government.

World leaders congratulate Netanyahu on his election victory

UAE, Turkish presidents and Italian PM contact Benjamin Netanyahu to congratulate him on his reelection.

Only in English:

Journalist claims Religious Zionism are 'Jewish supremacists'

Journalist Barak Ravid calls Religious Zionism party 'Jewish supremacists' - but only in English report.

Haredi party to Herzog: Task Netanyahu with forming a government

Representatives of United Torah Judaism party recommend Pres. Isaac Herzog task MK Benjamin Netanyahu with forming the next government.

Shaked:

'We knew our chances of passing the threshold were low'

Interior Minister says she received a blessing from the Likud to run till the end and was not promised anything in return.

Danon in message to Netanyahu:

'When I set my sights on a job, I know how to get it'

MK-elect Danny Danon hosts victory party: The important ministries must remain in the hands of the Likud.

New govt. expected to have at least 30 ministers

Negotiations to form coalition of Likud, Religious Zionism, Shas, and UTJ parties pick up steam.

Hot mic:

Pres. Herzog warns Shas party about Ben-Gvir

President heard warning Shas reps Temple Mount issue, partnership with Otzma Yehudit leader could be problematic.

National Unity MK:

'The one pretending to lead the bloc bears responsibility'

Alon Schuster, outgoing Dep. Defense Min., says PM Yair Lapid should have pushed Meretz, Labor, parties to unite ahead of elections.

Pres. Herzog begins process of choosing next PM

Knesset parties begin meeting president to make recommendations for PM. MK Regev: 'We had a PM who didn't visit the Kotel even once.'

Herzog: I'm not pushing for any particular government'

Final results of Knesset election given to President Herzog, who pushes back on report he tried to forge national unity coalition.

Watch: Tale of two November elections for Israel and the US

Polarization is at an all-time high as the Right is concerned about an entrenched leftist elite and the Left worried democracy is at risk.

Center-left MKs explain:

Why we won't recommend anyone to form gov't

As center-left parties quarrel between themselves, two MKs explain why their party won't recommend anyone for the position of PM.

Split in the left:

64 MKs will recommend Netanyahu, only 28 will recommend Lapid

National Unity, Yisrael Beytenu, Hadash-Ta'al will not recommend anyone. Netanyahu will be recommended by all right-wing parties.

Tomorrow:

President Herzog will hear recommendations for Prime Minister

President Isaac Herzog to begin consultations with all parliamentary groups elected to the Twenty-Fifth Knesset

Noam party to remain in opposition? 'We'll challenge the gov't'

Likud weighing option to appoint Noam party's MK Avi Maoz as opposition's representative in committee for appointing judges.

Otzma Yehudit to request separate meeting with Pres. Herzog

MK Itamar Ben-Gvir to meet with Pres. Herzog separately from running mate MK Bezalel Smotrich to discuss recommended candidate for PM.

Report:

Herzog makes bid to prevent formation of right-wing government

After right-wing bloc wins Knesset election, president calls on center-left leaders to help form unity government. Both refuse

Shas chief weighing position of Minister in Finance Ministry

Shas chief Aryeh Deri inclined to prefer Interior Ministry over Finance Ministry, report says.

Report:

Lapid and Gantz not on speaking terms since election loss

Rift between Israel's Prime Minister and Defense Minister following last week's electoral defeat, according to report.

Biden calls Netanyahu, congratulates him on election victory

US President tells Netanyahu: We are brothers and will make history together.' Netanyahu: 'We will make more peace agreements.'

Senior rabbis: Without Override Clause, there'll be no coalition

Council of Torah Sages instructs faction of United Torah Judaism party: Refuse to join coalition unless Override Clause is passed.

Report:

Labor Party chief faces revolt after election debacle

Senior Labor officials working to oust Minister Merav Michaeli as party chair, reportedly with strong support from within Labor.

Smotrich lays out his demands:

Finance or Defense and expanded override clause

The Religious Zionism chair met with Benjamin Netanyahu and laid out his demands in the first round of coalition negotiations.

Pompeo: Glad Netanyahu is returning as prime minister

Former Secretary of State hails Netanyahu's election victory as good for Israel and US. Biden expected to congratulate Netanyahu tomorrow.

Pres. to meet party reps on formation of govt. this week

Leaders of factions which made it into the 25th Knesset invited to President's Residence starting Wednesday to make recommendations for PM.

Smotrich, Ben-Gvir unite in coalition negotiations

Religious Zionism party, Otzma Yehudit leaders announce they will only join the coalition together, support each other's ministry demands.

What do Arabs think about Israel's election results?

With Netanyahu signing the 2020 Abraham Accords and making peace with a number of Arab states, are everyday Arabs happy with the results?