coalition talks

Smotrich's achievements:

Budgets for state-religious education, Jewish settlement

National-Religious Chief Rabbi to be appointed, programs to enhance Jewish identity promoted.

18 minutes before the deadline

Netanyahu tells Herzog: I have succeeded in forming a government

Religious Zionist Party is the first to sign an agreement with the Likud.

Poll:

Public thinks Ben Gvir won the coalition talks

Half of the Israelis say Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai should resign over law giving Ben Gvir expanded powers over the police.

Watch: Will the clock run out on Netanyahu government?

With coalition talks stuck and various factions unwilling to compromise, will Netanyahu have enough time to form a functioning government?

Netanyahu and Smotrich reportedly close to signing agreement

Leaders of Likud and Religious Zionist Party meeting with negotiation teams in an attempt to bridge the remaining gaps between them.

"On the verge of an agreement"

Further progress made between Likud, Religious Zionist parties

Likud and Religious Zionist parties say they made progress in negotiations and are close to signing an agreement.

Poll:

Public approves of Ben Gvir's ministerial appointment

Things look different, however, for Aryeh Deri, Bezalel Smotrich and Miri Regev.

Coalition talks:

Agreement reached between Likud and Otzma Yehudit

Likud and Otzma Yehudit sign agreement, Ben Gvir to serve as "Minister of National Security".

UTJ MK on coalition talks:

'There's a disconnect with Likud on fundamental issues'

MK Yaakov Asher says the Likud has not held a dialogue with United Torah Judaism on fundamental issues in the last two days.

Otzma Yehudit:

There is progress, but we have not yet signed with the Likud

Ben Gvir's party says some issues have been agreed upon but there are ideological differences that have not yet been resolved.

UTJ MK:

'Likud isn't taking us seriously because we don't issue threats'

MK Yaakov Asher: There will be major changes when it comes to housing in the new government. We will all stand behind Rabbi Goldknopf.

New crisis in coalition talks

Religious Zionist Party: Likud retracted all the agreements

Religious Zionist Party accuses Likud of taking negotiations back to their starting point. Likud: Smotrich added new demands.

Otzma Yehudit:

'We stopped coalition talks with the Likud'

Otzma Yehudit stops talks after Likud refused to give it the Ministry for the Development of the Negev and the Galilee.

Poll:

Public thinks Deri, Smotrich not suitable for Finance, Defense

Israeli public not thrilled with Shas chairman as Finance Minister and Religious Zionism chairman as Defense Minister.

Op-ed:

Has Netanyahu learned nothing?

The time has come for the Religious Zionist Party to show that it knows a thing or two about politics. And it does. Op-ed.

Otzma Yehudit MK:

'US should be happy Ben Gvir will be Public Security Minister'

MK Yitzhak Wasserlauf: Smotrich deserves the position of Minister of Defense as well as other positions.

Coalition talks:

Smotrich inclined to take defense portfolio

According to reports, the Religious Zionism chair is currently leaning towards choosing position of Defense Minister over Finance Minister.

Putting together a coalition:

Gafni to ask for Finance Committee chairmanship

Degel HaTorah says party's ideological decision regarding not taking ministerial positions in the government stands.

The rise and fall of the Never Netanyahu coalition

The only thing uniting the Never Netanyahu coalition is hatred of him, and of religious Jews. That won't make for stable power-sharing.Op-ed

Lapid: 'Many obstacles' before coalition is formed

Lapid warned that numerous challenges remained before a 'change bloc' coalition could be formed to oust Netanyahu.

Lapid and Bennett on the clock to end Netanyahu’s tenure

Bennett had pledged he would not sit in any government with Lapid. It is now clear that he was negotiating rotation terms all the time.Op-ed

Jealousy, betrayal, civil war

A look back at King Saul's dispute with David over the Israelite kingdom. Unfortunately so far, history is not repeating itself. Op-ed.

Report: 'Change camp' agrees on distribution of ministries

In recent weeks, agreements have been formed regarding the appointment of ministers in the government of the "bloc of change".

Litzman: Coalition with Lapid & Liberman? Only in Fantasy Land

UTJ head ruled out coalition gov't alongside Yesh Atid & Yisrael Beytenu, claimed Netanyahu realized partnership with Smotrich was mistake.

Gantz: Because of Hendel and Hauser, I'm not PM

Gantz criticizes his party members, Lapid stopped a unity government whilst Handel and Hauser stopped a minority government.

'One person is preventing a unity government - Yair Lapid'

Likud MK blames Blue and White for the impasse in coalition talks.

Meeting between Likud, Blue and White commences

Negotiating teams of the 2 parties meet for first time since mandate given to Benny Gantz. Gantz and Netanyahu meet tonight.

'Do not lend a hand to leftist government'

Heads of factions that recommended Netanyahu as PM unanimously decide that a right-wing government should be set up without delay.

Levin: Immunity issue is not part of coalition agreements

Chairman of Likud's coalition negotiating team seeks to dispel rumors that law granting immunity to Netanyahu is part of coalition talks.

Yisrael Beytenu: We await answers from the Likud

Liberman's party says it will not compromise on tougher security policy and passing Draft Law.

Kahlon's demands

Kulanu chairman demanding Finance Ministry again, conditions entry into the government on no tax increases.

'If recruitment issue remains unsolved we go to elections'

In view of increase in strength to 8 seats, UTJ representatives make clear if Draft Law not resolved, they will lead to repeated elections.

Liberman's conditions for joining government

Yisrael Beytenu chairman reportedly demands defense ministry, passing of original Draft Law as conditions to joining Netanyahu's coalition.

Report: Netanyahu offered Foreign Ministry to Livni

TV report says Livni turned down offer from Netanyahu to be appointed Foreign Minister. PMO: No offer was made to Livni.

Herzog: There will be no unity government

Opposition leader declares at Rabin memorial he will no longer hold any coalition talks with Netanyahu. Elkin: Good riddance.

Netanyahu's office denies he agreed to construction freeze

Prime Minister's Office categorically denies reports that Netanyahu agreed to a quiet construction freeze in Judea and Samaria.

Yechimovich: I will fight any move to join the coalition

MK Shelly Yechimovich says she would fight "with all her might" a move to join Netanyahu's coalition.

'Netanyahu is using Zionist Union to restrain Bennett'

MK Yossi Yonah (Zionist Union) told Arutz Sheva that there are no negotiations to enter the government

Is Herzog on the way to the coalition?

Likud source denies reports that Netanyahu asked heads of coalition parties to opine about the possibility of Zionist Union joining.

Hanegbi to Herzog: Let's join hands in Netanyahu's government

Likud Minister calls on opposition leader to join the coalition, says there are no significant gaps between the Likud and the Zionist Union.

Report: Netanyahu and Herzog resume coalition talks

Channel 2 News reports Prime Minister and opposition leader met this week to discuss a unity government. Both sides deny.

Coalition crisis over as Netanyahu accepts Litzman's compromise

Netanyahu accepts Health Minister's compromise in the coalition crisis with Jewish Home, which will in turn support expansion of coalition.

Will Bennett be fired for opposing Liberman appointment?

Political officials reportedly working on convincing Jewish Home to back Liberman's appointment as Defense Minister.

Bennett refuses to back down on Security Cabinet demand

Jewish Home chairman determined to ensure Cabinet members updated on IDF affairs after experiences during Protective Edge.

Liberman won't enter gov't until at least next week

With 24-hour Knesset review needed to approve coalition deal, Lag Ba'Omer break makes deal this week highly unlikely.

Likud-Yisrael Beytenu coalition talks resume

Coalition talks between the Likud and Yisrael Beytenu parties resumed after Liberman said earlier they reached a “dead end”.

Herzog: 'Door is closed' for Zionist Union to join gov't

Opposition leader rejects offer from Netanyahu to reconsider joining coalition, says PM chose 'extremist' government.

'The government can finally do what we were elected to do'

Likud minister close to coalition talks says Yisrael Beytenu joining gov't to bring long-term stability, actualize nationalist government.

Bringing Yisrael Beytenu into gov't won't impact talks with PA

In cabinet meeting, Netanyahu says he's still willing to engage in diplomatic process with Palestinians, with help of 'regional actors.'

Revealed: Tony Blair engineered Herzog-Netanyahu unity talks

Former British PM and Quartet envoy reportedly led the failed move to add the Zionist Union to the coalition.

Ya'alon's associates: He wasn't offered the Foreign Ministry

Sources close to Ya'alon reject reports he was never offered the role of Foreign Minister if Liberman joins the coalition.

Uri Ariel: Coalition Expansion 'Very Theoretical'

Outgoing Housing Minister explains why a budget must be set before parties join - and what the government's direction may be.

Poll: Most Israelis Unhappy with Coalition Results

Many Israelis displeased with Netanyahu capitulating to haredi parties' demands; surprising confidence in Kahlon as finance minister.

Stormy Debate Over Cabinet Expansion Ends in Passing Vote

MKs exchange proposals, sarcasm in overnight debate; bill to expand government passes for second and third readings.

Second Coalition Rebellion? MK Eichler Threatens to Break Ranks

UTJ MK threatens to rebel if not granted chairmanship of Knesset committee; sources tell Arutz Sheva he never signed coalition deal.

'Lapid Never Objected to Cabinet When He Was Finance Minister'

Likud MK Ze'ev Elkin notes that Yair Lapid's appeal follows a government with even more ministers, quips Lapid's math must be poor.

A-G Expected to Challenge Coalition for Technical Reasons

Likud's deals with UTJ, Jewish Home violated Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein's guidelines for coalition talks, news site claims.

ADL Congratulates Netanyahu on Coalition

ADL directors commend Netanyahu on success despite 'lively and unpredictable' democratic process.

Report: Liberman Offered Defense Ministry

Former FM reportedly offered Ya'alon's post to lure Yisrael Beytenu back into government; Liberman apparently turned the role down.

MK Slomiansky: Too Bad We Had to Do it the Hard Way

Jewish Home MK welcomes coalition agreement but says he regrets the process.