Israel's coalition government led by Naftali Bennett has been dissolved. Yair Lapid is set to be interim Prime Minister of Israel. Meanwhile, Netanyahu is eyeing a comeback to power.

Israeli Knesset votes to dissolve: Yair Lapid to be interim Prime Minister

Israel is moving closer to a fifth election in almost four years after lawmakers gave an initial nod to dissolve parliament. The Knesset voted unanimously to dissolve in a preliminary reading, the dissolution bill is expected to be finalized next week.

Israeli Knesset votes to dissolve; coalition partners vows to block Netanyahu comeback

Israel's outgoing government vowed on Tuesday to prevent a comeback by ex-premier Benjamin Netanyahu, their fellow right-winger, as the country braced for a fifth election in less than four years with polling predicting no clear winner, as reported by Reuters.

On the fall of the current coalition, Netanyahu said, "I must tell you that this evening people are smiling, even on the way over here, people are simply smiling. Because they feel that despite this consciousness modification, which we also heard tonight, they understand that something great happened here.”

“We are getting rid of the worst government in Israel's history," he added.

The prospect of an election as early as October delighted Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving leader, who was toppled a year ago after Bennett mustered a rare coalition of hard-right, liberal and Arab politicians.

"I intend to form a strong, national, steady government. I think the atmosphere changed, I can feel it. I hear from the people. You walk and talk to mothers, fathers, young couples with children, with older people, some of whom did not vote for me, and they say - we now want the real change, we want to return the State of Israel to the place it deserves and I intend to do it together with my friends," said Netanyahu.

Surveys have consistently given Likud around 30 of parliament's 120 seats - which would make it the biggest party but would require Netanyahu to sign up like-minded allies, including among current partners in Bennett's coalition. But, outgoing coalition members are vowing to not let Netanyahu in.

Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman said at an Israel Democracy Institute conference in Jerusalem, "The main object in the upcoming election is to prevent Netanyahu from returning to power."&nbsp;

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/treaty-that-puts-climate-change-on-back-burner-to-be-challenged-at-european-court-of-human-rights-490351">&nbsp;Treaty that puts climate change on back burner to be challenged at European Court of Human Rights</a>

Justice Minister Gideon Saar, who is on trial on corruption charges he denies, ruled out joining forces with Netanyahu, and told Army Radio, "I won't be bringing Bibi (Netanyahu) back. All of the party members are with me. No one will succumb to inducements."

For the Palestinians, the latest Israeli political developments were inconsequential.&nbsp;

"No matter how weak, strong or transitional the status of the Israeli government or ruling coalition, the occupying state imposes on the Palestinian people, through its violations and crimes, a heavy cost," the Palestinian Foreign Ministry said.&nbsp;

(with inputs from agencies)

 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Israel's outgoing government vowed on Tuesday to prevent a comeback by ex-premier Benjamin Netanyahu, their fellow right-winger, as the country braced for a fifth election in less than four years with polling predicting no clear winner, as reported by Reuters.

Israel's outgoing government vowed on Tuesday to prevent a comeback by ex-premier Benjamin Netanyahu, their fellow right-winger, as the country braced for a fifth election in less than four years with polling predicting no clear winner, as reported by Reuters. On the fall of the current coalition, Netanyahu said, "I must tell you that this evening people are smiling, even on the way over here, people are simply smiling. Because they feel that despite this consciousness modification, which we also heard tonight, they understand that something great happened here.” “We are getting rid of the worst government in Israel's history," he added. The prospect of an election as early as October delighted Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving leader, who was toppled a year ago after Bennett mustered a rare coalition of hard-right, liberal and Arab politicians. "I intend to form a strong, national, steady government. I think the atmosphere changed, I can feel it. I hear from the people. You walk and talk to mothers, fathers, young couples with children, with older people, some of whom did not vote for me, and they say - we now want the real change, we want to return the State of Israel to the place it deserves and I intend to do it together with my friends," said Netanyahu. Surveys have consistently given Likud around 30 of parliament's 120 seats - which would make it the biggest party but would require Netanyahu to sign up like-minded allies, including among current partners in Bennett's coalition. But, outgoing coalition members are vowing to not let Netanyahu in. Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman said at an Israel Democracy Institute conference in Jerusalem, "The main object in the upcoming election is to prevent Netanyahu from returning to power." Also Read: Treaty that puts climate change on back burner to be challenged at European Court of Human Rights Justice Minister Gideon Saar, who is on trial on corruption charges he denies, ruled out joining forces with Netanyahu, and told Army Radio, "I won't be bringing Bibi (Netanyahu) back. All of the party members are with me. No one will succumb to inducements." For the Palestinians, the latest Israeli political developments were inconsequential. "No matter how weak, strong or transitional the status of the Israeli government or ruling coalition, the occupying state imposes on the Palestinian people, through its violations and crimes, a heavy cost," the Palestinian Foreign Ministry said. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Netanyahu claims ‘everyone is smiling’ at ‘fall of coalition’, outgoing members vow to block his comeback

Israel's Justice minister has said that the coalition government may be on its last legs. Referring to the most diverse coalition government in Israel's history, he said he cannot be blind to the possibility that this experiment has run its course. However, he is still insisting that his party will not sit in a new coalition with former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israeli coalition suffers loss and face uncertainty

Former deputy prime minister of Israel Natan Sharansky in an exclusive interview with Wion opined that&nbsp;western world was right to warn Russia against invading Ukraine. He maintained that Israel had good relations with both, Ukraine and Russia.

Natan Sharansky was the figurehead of the worldwide human rights campaign to free Jews from Soviet Russia. At the time, Jews there weren’t allowed to practise Jewish life – or to emigrate.

Having spent 9 years in prison for his activism, Sharansky himself was finally freed in 1986.

He immediately moved to Israel, where he went on to become a minister in 5 different governments, including serving as deputy prime minister.

Our correspondent, Jodie Cohen, brings you this exclusive interview for WION…

Wion: Natan Sharansky, you went from the depths of a Soviet prison to becoming Deputy Prime Minister of Israel, and winning numerous awards across your lifetime. With the world currently facing difficult times because of the pandemic, what do you think gave you such resilience?

Sharansky: In Soviet Union, there was a totalitarian regime which wanted to deprive people of any independence. The way to do it was to deprive people of their identities. So I grew up having no freedom and no identity. Being Jewish, (there was) nothing Jewish in our lives. No holiday, no tradition or religion or language, nothing. There was a lot of anti-semitism. And (there was) no freedom.&nbsp;

And then Israel secured victories against Arab regimes. You learn a lot in underground movements about this unique history, the people and the country, and you want to be part of it. The discovery of things bigger than yourself gives you strength to start speaking publicly and to fight for your rights. And that's how I became official spokesperson of two movements, Jewish movement and human rights movement.

When you get arrested, (you get) this feeling of yourself being part of a very important historical struggle, and that your people are together with you. And then somehow you make yourself feel that the struggle of your people depends on you saying 'no' to KGB. That's what gives you strength. And ofcourse KGB tried to convince me that everything was lost and nobody was ready to fight for you. And then you convince yourself that your people continue to struggle.

So it's mainly a struggle of your imagination against their lies and feeling that your life is more meaningful than simply your survival. Your identity and your freedom are very important.

Wion: You spent about half your time in prison in solitary confinement. With Christmas approaching, and people all over the world having to isolate because of COVID-19, what tips do you have for people finding it hard to cope in quarantine?

Sharansky: First of all, We are in a big struggle for the health of humanity and each of us has a role. We can deliver the victory together. So realising that there is sense, there is meaning (to all of this) helps.

Secondly, try to keep your sense of humour. I always enjoyed laughing at my prison guards showing them absurdity of their regime by making jokes about Soviet leaders. They couldn't even laugh because they were afraid to laugh.&nbsp;

As long as you can laugh when it is funny, you are free. So internet has lot of jokes about our situation. Enjoy the jokes.

Thirdly, don't make plans which don't depend on you. For example, don't say something like when all of this is over I will go to America. It doesn't depend on you, whether you can or cannot go. Then you feel even more depressed. Make plans that depend on you.

For example, say I will learn a new language next month. I will read books which I wanted to read but didn't have time. This depends on you.

In prison, it was very important to not make plans about your survival. Your survival doesn't depend on you. But make plans to stand and say no to KGB and think that you will be a free person on the last moment of your life.

So make plans for which you can take full responsibility, and then deliver.&nbsp;

Wion: Hundreds of thousands of people marched united in Washington to stand up for Jews from Soviet Russia. Today in the US, Israel and across the world, politics is increasingly polariseD. What lessons can be learned from the unity of the campaign to free Soviet Jews?

Sharansky: That campaign was extremely powerful. They marched not just to free Soviet Jews but also to bring down the iron curtain. The Soviet Union couldn't survive, it fell apart. So it was a victory against the most powerful totalitarian regime in the world. And this was possible because us, a small group of dissidents in the Soviet Union were supported by Jews from different walks of life and also other people who were interested in (supporting) human rights.

They marched with Martin Luther King and then they fought for our human rights. We also received support from those interested in freedom of those teaching Judaism. People from left to right (in the political spectrum) could understand why it was in their interest to press Soviet Union on the issue of human rights. So it was really very important that there was a common ground.&nbsp;

The problem today is that even in the most obvious battles like battle against anti-Semitism, the confrontation between the left and the right that left is ready to see anto-Semitism among the right but not among themselves.

(Fight against) Hatred towards other religions and anti-Semitism must unite us all, left and right, and we all have to fight these prejudices in our own camps. This is quite a challenge, how to overcome political differences and unite ourselves for fight for freedom.

Wion: In 2018, you won the Israel Prize for your contributions to the State of Israel in the fields of Immigration and Absorption. This included setting up a political party to help integrate the 1 million Soviet Jews who moved to Israel. What can you tell us from your experience about the best way to integrate immigrants into society?

Sharansky: First of all, Israel is really a unique country because usually a country creates diaspora. In case of Israel, diaspora created Israel. They created their own state which existed two thousand years ago. So these are the people who came from very different diasporas.

Secondly, our victory over the territorial regime of Soviet Union brought the unique fact that 1 million Jews came from Soviet Union to Israel. Israel at the time was a country of 6 million people. It was a big change. It was very cometitive. People who became professionals, elite in a country of 200 million people, they came to a small country. So suddenly, number of doctors doubled (there were) engineers, 10 times more musicians and so on. So it was difficult.

But what was critical was that we understood we had to give voice to new immigrants. That's why we created a party of new immigrants. We entered the Knesset. Many immigrants were not well conversant in Hebrew, but they worked in government, municipalities are were taking decisions along with rest of country. That proved to be the best way of integration.

And if you look now, one generation later, (you can see) unbelievable example of successful integration. They are very comfortable in all walks of society.

Wion: Moving to Israel now. You became Deputy Prime Minister just after the Camp David peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians broke down - in hindsight, why do you think they broke down? In your books on democracy, you’ve argued that there can never be peace until there are ‘real democratic institutions in Palestinian society’. Do you see signs for optimism today?

Sharansky: Well, I definitely see signs of optimism today. And they think that we lost a lot of time trying to build peace process through Oslo agreement. At that moment in 1993 when we signed the Oslo agreement, everybody was happy to see the picture of Yitzhak Rabin, Yasser Arafat and Bill Clinton. Two weeks after this I wrote my first article against this. Why? Because our prime minister said that it was very good that Yasser Arafat was a dictator. Without free press, human rights organisations, supreme court, he will defeat terrorism of Hamas.

I wrote in my article that as dictators, these people would need us as their enemies....For Yasser Arafat there will be no other enemy but us. So we have to be insistent that Yasser Arafat has free press, human rights organisations and supreme court (in Palestine). What happened in Oslo brought Yasser Arafat from Tunis to Palestine and it told Palestinians that he was their leader. And he destroyed all beginnings of (establishment of) human rights.

And that's why I was very critical. I never believed that this type of process of creating our own, or encouraging our own (principles) among Palestinians would bring peace.

I am more optimistic now. Because Abraham Accords between Israel and number of countries are based on people-to-people connections. Public opinion in Egypt continues to be extremely hostile to Israel. Same in Jordan. (But) The leaders are encouraging contact between people, businesses, cultures. It inevitably will also include Palestinians.

And then when those Palestinian leaders who will choose to recognise how important it is to use this, to build their own civil institutions, to build joint ventures with Israelis, they will become leaders of future Palestinian state which will make peace with us. Only the state in which people and leaders are interested to make peace can be our partner. So yes I am much more optimistic than I was before.

Wion: As a human rights activist, you’ve won numerous awards including, in 2006, the US Presidential Medal of Freedom. Israel often faces criticism for its human rights record. In your opinion, is this criticism fair?

Sharansky: Israel, like every democratic country, should be open to criticism. Israel has a challenge of constantly fighting for its right to exist and also uphold human rights. For example, how to minimise casualties among civilians while fighting terror. Israel surely has this challenge and has more and more reasons to think about it. And as one who has been trying to solve this problem from all sides, I can say that we have this problem and we are dealing with this at least as good if not better than all other democratic countries.

Criticism is ok. But when criticism turns into demonisation of Israel, denying right of Israel to exist, applying double standards, that is anti-Semitism.&nbsp;

Unfortunately, people in the free world, without realising are helping those who want to destroy us by agreeing with all sorts of extreme demonisation. For example, I hear some respectable western leader who says that I was in a refugee camp of Palestinians. This is the Auschwitz of today.

This is typical demonisation.

What does a refugee camp have to do with Auschwitz? Anyone who was in Auschwitz knows what a hell it was. It has nothing to do with poor neighbourhoods of Palestinians.

This is one of millions of examples of demonisation of Israel. These are clear double standards.

China is erasing whole cultures in Tibet and that of Uyghurs. Awful things are happening in Chechenya or in Africa.&nbsp;

Amid all this, the only conflict that becomes symbol of human rights (violations) is that between Israel and Palestinians. These are clear double standards.

Wion: You were a child chess prodigy, and even beat the world chess champion in 1996! There is another Israeli who is also known to be a master strategist, and that is former PM, Benjamin Netanyahu. A) Would he beat you at chess? And B) Do you think he’ll be able to manoevre his way to becoming prime minister again?

 
Sharansky: First of all, Bibi (Benjamin Netanyahu) is not a bad chess player. He once drew with me and I don't know which other Israeli politician can do that.

He is not oustanding, but by the standards of politicians, he is a good chess player.

As to the political chess, Netanyahu is a friend. When I was in prison, he was a young diplomat in Washington. He was very inventive in giving ideas about how our struggle against the Soviet Union can be amplified.

And then when I was in government, I could see how he fought for an open Israeli economy, for removal of old socialist restrictions. And at the same time. For 20 years he was a fierce voice, sometimes a lonely one, against Iran.&nbsp;

When such a person stays in power for so many years, it appears somehow that for the future of the country this person should stay in power. But let's not bet about democracy let's not bet over a person.

So I do reach out to my friend Netanyahu to strengthen his heritage. (But I don't want him to be complacent).

Today's political situation is unstable because we have a government that has the majority of 1 vote in the Knesset. This makes it very difficult to take any serious decision. There needs to be effort from both sides to build a government that will have a much broader platform.

Wion: Moving to geopolitics. You were born in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic of the Soviet Union…today there is great tension between the Ukraine and Russia. Israel has just celebrated 30 years of ties with the Ukraine, and it also has ties with Russia. How can it continue to balance relations with both Ukraine and Russia going forward?

Sharansky: First of all, we have good relations with both Russia and Ukraine. There is no KGB today controlling minds of the people, there are no&nbsp;Gulags with millions of people dying there.

Having said this, I feel sorry that President Putin, who has very good relations with Israel, is restricting democracy and freedom in Russia.

Russia's annexation of Crimea was a violation of Helsinki agreement that said that borders will not change by way of war. I think this is very unfortunate.

I think the free world is right in warning Russia against invading Ukraine. At the same time I understand the difficulty of Israeli leaders who have to lead war against Iran and Iran's presence in Syria.

Unfortunately, Syrian airspace and territory is controlled by Russia. Giving away control in Syria, doing nothing when Syria was using chemical weapons and allowing strong Russian presence in Syria was a mistake from President Obama.

As a result, when we have to fight Iranian presence in Syria, we have to co-ordinate with Russia. So our leaders, when they are critical of Russia, they have to be cautious in choosing their tone, words and actions

Wion: You’re currently chairman of the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy – with the pandemic there has been a new trend of Covid-related anti-Semitism. What can you tell us about this, and what is being done to counter it?

Sharansky: This is something very new, anti-Semitism and Covid. It is continuation of same policy of anti-Semites for 3000 years. Jews were presented as symbol of the evil, so everything bad was connected with Jews. (It was said that) Jews were responsible for Capitalism and they were also responsible for Marxism. They were held responsible for establishing regimes and destroying regimes.

Today we see two types of accusations. First is, Jews are making money through Covid pandemic. Second is, Jews helped China to keep Covid a secret. Jews didn't tell the world because they wanted to do business using pandemic. All of this is nonsense. But when some absolute nonsense is repeated many times on the internet, more and more people start believing it.

Only way to fight this is through a fight against demonisation of Jewish people and of Jewish state on all fronts simultaneously, on the left, on the right, religious, secular, everywhere.

After all, we are Jews and we are very proud of it.&nbsp;

I was very happy when I received the Genesis Prize. I donated the prize amount, one million dollars for fight against Covid. Many Jewish people and organisations are doing excellent work in this field.&nbsp;

Wion: You most recently served as Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, which seeks to unite and educate Jews across the world…This is seen as a unifying role, and of course there is one other major unifying role in Israel, and that is the president. Would you like to become President of Israel one day?

Sharansky: I am very happy and lucky that I got the opportunity to lead the struggle for Soviet Jews, the struggle to bring down the iron cutrain, the struggle for integration of Soviet Jews and many other good opportunities. But everybody has to know where he can contribute. It is great, the position of president of Israel is noble. But (there are) many speeches, many performances and many receptions every day, I don't think I can be good in it.

Former deputy prime minister of Israel Natan Sharansky in an exclusive interview with Wion opined that western world was right to warn Russia against invading Ukraine.

Former deputy prime minister of Israel Natan Sharansky in an exclusive interview with Wion opined that western world was right to warn Russia against invading Ukraine. He maintained that Israel had good relations with both, Ukraine and Russia. Natan Sharansky was the figurehead of the worldwide human rights campaign to free Jews from Soviet Russia. At the time, Jews there weren’t allowed to practise Jewish life – or to emigrate. Having spent 9 years in prison for his activism, Sharansky himself was finally freed in 1986. He immediately moved to Israel, where he went on to become a minister in 5 different governments, including serving as deputy prime minister. Our correspondent, Jodie Cohen, brings you this exclusive interview for WION… Wion: Natan Sharansky, you went from the depths of a Soviet prison to becoming Deputy Prime Minister of Israel, and winning numerous awards across your lifetime. With the world currently facing difficult times because of the pandemic, what do you think gave you such resilience? Sharansky: In Soviet Union, there was a totalitarian regime which wanted to deprive people of any independence. The way to do it was to deprive people of their identities. So I grew up having no freedom and no identity. Being Jewish, (there was) nothing Jewish in our lives. No holiday, no tradition or religion or language, nothing. There was a lot of anti-semitism. And (there was) no freedom. And then Israel secured victories against Arab regimes. You learn a lot in underground movements about this unique history, the people and the country, and you want to be part of it. The discovery of things bigger than yourself gives you strength to start speaking publicly and to fight for your rights. And that's how I became official spokesperson of two movements, Jewish movement and human rights movement. When you get arrested, (you get) this feeling of yourself being part of a very important historical struggle, and that your people are together with you. And then somehow you make yourself feel that the struggle of your people depends on you saying 'no' to KGB. That's what gives you strength. And ofcourse KGB tried to convince me that everything was lost and nobody was ready to fight for you. And then you convince yourself that your people continue to struggle. So it's mainly a struggle of your imagination against their lies and feeling that your life is more meaningful than simply your survival. Your identity and your freedom are very important. Wion: You spent about half your time in prison in solitary confinement. With Christmas approaching, and people all over the world having to isolate because of COVID-19, what tips do you have for people finding it hard to cope in quarantine? Sharansky: First of all, We are in a big struggle for the health of humanity and each of us has a role. We can deliver the victory together. So realising that there is sense, there is meaning (to all of this) helps. Secondly, try to keep your sense of humour. I always enjoyed laughing at my prison guards showing them absurdity of their regime by making jokes about Soviet leaders. They couldn't even laugh because they were afraid to laugh. As long as you can laugh when it is funny, you are free. So internet has lot of jokes about our situation. Enjoy the jokes. Thirdly, don't make plans which don't depend on you. For example, don't say something like when all of this is over I will go to America. It doesn't depend on you, whether you can or cannot go. Then you feel even more depressed. Make plans that depend on you. For example, say I will learn a new language next month. I will read books which I wanted to read but didn't have time. This depends on you. In prison, it was very important to not make plans about your survival. Your survival doesn't depend on you. But make plans to stand and say no to KGB and think that you will be a free person on the last moment of your life. So make plans for which you can take full responsibility, and then deliver. Wion: Hundreds of thousands of people marched united in Washington to stand up for Jews from Soviet Russia. Today in the US, Israel and across the world, politics is increasingly polariseD. What lessons can be learned from the unity of the campaign to free Soviet Jews? Sharansky: That campaign was extremely powerful. They marched not just to free Soviet Jews but also to bring down the iron curtain. The Soviet Union couldn't survive, it fell apart. So it was a victory against the most powerful totalitarian regime in the world. And this was possible because us, a small group of dissidents in the Soviet Union were supported by Jews from different walks of life and also other people who were interested in (supporting) human rights. They marched with Martin Luther King and then they fought for our human rights. We also received support from those interested in freedom of those teaching Judaism. People from left to right (in the political spectrum) could understand why it was in their interest to press Soviet Union on the issue of human rights. So it was really very important that there was a common ground. The problem today is that even in the most obvious battles like battle against anti-Semitism, the confrontation between the left and the right that left is ready to see anto-Semitism among the right but not among themselves. (Fight against) Hatred towards other religions and anti-Semitism must unite us all, left and right, and we all have to fight these prejudices in our own camps. This is quite a challenge, how to overcome political differences and unite ourselves for fight for freedom. Wion: In 2018, you won the Israel Prize for your contributions to the State of Israel in the fields of Immigration and Absorption. This included setting up a political party to help integrate the 1 million Soviet Jews who moved to Israel. What can you tell us from your experience about the best way to integrate immigrants into society? Sharansky: First of all, Israel is really a unique country because usually a country creates diaspora. In case of Israel, diaspora created Israel. They created their own state which existed two thousand years ago. So these are the people who came from very different diasporas. Secondly, our victory over the territorial regime of Soviet Union brought the unique fact that 1 million Jews came from Soviet Union to Israel. Israel at the time was a country of 6 million people. It was a big change. It was very cometitive. People who became professionals, elite in a country of 200 million people, they came to a small country. So suddenly, number of doctors doubled (there were) engineers, 10 times more musicians and so on. So it was difficult. But what was critical was that we understood we had to give voice to new immigrants. That's why we created a party of new immigrants. We entered the Knesset. Many immigrants were not well conversant in Hebrew, but they worked in government, municipalities are were taking decisions along with rest of country. That proved to be the best way of integration. And if you look now, one generation later, (you can see) unbelievable example of successful integration. They are very comfortable in all walks of society. Wion: Moving to Israel now. You became Deputy Prime Minister just after the Camp David peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians broke down - in hindsight, why do you think they broke down? In your books on democracy, you’ve argued that there can never be peace until there are ‘real democratic institutions in Palestinian society’. Do you see signs for optimism today? Sharansky: Well, I definitely see signs of optimism today. And they think that we lost a lot of time trying to build peace process through Oslo agreement. At that moment in 1993 when we signed the Oslo agreement, everybody was happy to see the picture of Yitzhak Rabin, Yasser Arafat and Bill Clinton. Two weeks after this I wrote my first article against this. Why? Because our prime minister said that it was very good that Yasser Arafat was a dictator. Without free press, human rights organisations, supreme court, he will defeat terrorism of Hamas. I wrote in my article that as dictators, these people would need us as their enemies....For Yasser Arafat there will be no other enemy but us. So we have to be insistent that Yasser Arafat has free press, human rights organisations and supreme court (in Palestine). What happened in Oslo brought Yasser Arafat from Tunis to Palestine and it told Palestinians that he was their leader. And he destroyed all beginnings of (establishment of) human rights. And that's why I was very critical. I never believed that this type of process of creating our own, or encouraging our own (principles) among Palestinians would bring peace. I am more optimistic now. Because Abraham Accords between Israel and number of countries are based on people-to-people connections. Public opinion in Egypt continues to be extremely hostile to Israel. Same in Jordan. (But) The leaders are encouraging contact between people, businesses, cultures. It inevitably will also include Palestinians. And then when those Palestinian leaders who will choose to recognise how important it is to use this, to build their own civil institutions, to build joint ventures with Israelis, they will become leaders of future Palestinian state which will make peace with us. Only the state in which people and leaders are interested to make peace can be our partner. So yes I am much more optimistic than I was before. Wion: As a human rights activist, you’ve won numerous awards including, in 2006, the US Presidential Medal of Freedom. Israel often faces criticism for its human rights record. In your opinion, is this criticism fair? Sharansky: Israel, like every democratic country, should be open to criticism. Israel has a challenge of constantly fighting for its right to exist and also uphold human rights. For example, how to minimise casualties among civilians while fighting terror. Israel surely has this challenge and has more and more reasons to think about it. And as one who has been trying to solve this problem from all sides, I can say that we have this problem and we are dealing with this at least as good if not better than all other democratic countries. Criticism is ok. But when criticism turns into demonisation of Israel, denying right of Israel to exist, applying double standards, that is anti-Semitism. Unfortunately, people in the free world, without realising are helping those who want to destroy us by agreeing with all sorts of extreme demonisation. For example, I hear some respectable western leader who says that I was in a refugee camp of Palestinians. This is the Auschwitz of today. This is typical demonisation. What does a refugee camp have to do with Auschwitz? Anyone who was in Auschwitz knows what a hell it was. It has nothing to do with poor neighbourhoods of Palestinians. This is one of millions of examples of demonisation of Israel. These are clear double standards. China is erasing whole cultures in Tibet and that of Uyghurs. Awful things are happening in Chechenya or in Africa. Amid all this, the only conflict that becomes symbol of human rights (violations) is that between Israel and Palestinians. These are clear double standards. Wion: You were a child chess prodigy, and even beat the world chess champion in 1996! There is another Israeli who is also known to be a master strategist, and that is former PM, Benjamin Netanyahu. A) Would he beat you at chess? And B) Do you think he’ll be able to manoevre his way to becoming prime minister again? Sharansky: First of all, Bibi (Benjamin Netanyahu) is not a bad chess player. He once drew with me and I don't know which other Israeli politician can do that. He is not oustanding, but by the standards of politicians, he is a good chess player. As to the political chess, Netanyahu is a friend. When I was in prison, he was a young diplomat in Washington. He was very inventive in giving ideas about how our struggle against the Soviet Union can be amplified. And then when I was in government, I could see how he fought for an open Israeli economy, for removal of old socialist restrictions. And at the same time. For 20 years he was a fierce voice, sometimes a lonely one, against Iran. When such a person stays in power for so many years, it appears somehow that for the future of the country this person should stay in power. But let's not bet about democracy let's not bet over a person. So I do reach out to my friend Netanyahu to strengthen his heritage. (But I don't want him to be complacent). Today's political situation is unstable because we have a government that has the majority of 1 vote in the Knesset. This makes it very difficult to take any serious decision. There needs to be effort from both sides to build a government that will have a much broader platform. Wion: Moving to geopolitics. You were born in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic of the Soviet Union…today there is great tension between the Ukraine and Russia. Israel has just celebrated 30 years of ties with the Ukraine, and it also has ties with Russia. How can it continue to balance relations with both Ukraine and Russia going forward? Sharansky: First of all, we have good relations with both Russia and Ukraine. There is no KGB today controlling minds of the people, there are no Gulags with millions of people dying there. Having said this, I feel sorry that President Putin, who has very good relations with Israel, is restricting democracy and freedom in Russia. Russia's annexation of Crimea was a violation of Helsinki agreement that said that borders will not change by way of war. I think this is very unfortunate. I think the free world is right in warning Russia against invading Ukraine. At the same time I understand the difficulty of Israeli leaders who have to lead war against Iran and Iran's presence in Syria. Unfortunately, Syrian airspace and territory is controlled by Russia. Giving away control in Syria, doing nothing when Syria was using chemical weapons and allowing strong Russian presence in Syria was a mistake from President Obama. As a result, when we have to fight Iranian presence in Syria, we have to co-ordinate with Russia. So our leaders, when they are critical of Russia, they have to be cautious in choosing their tone, words and actions Wion: You’re currently chairman of the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy – with the pandemic there has been a new trend of Covid-related anti-Semitism. What can you tell us about this, and what is being done to counter it? Sharansky: This is something very new, anti-Semitism and Covid. It is continuation of same policy of anti-Semites for 3000 years. Jews were presented as symbol of the evil, so everything bad was connected with Jews. (It was said that) Jews were responsible for Capitalism and they were also responsible for Marxism. They were held responsible for establishing regimes and destroying regimes. Today we see two types of accusations. First is, Jews are making money through Covid pandemic. Second is, Jews helped China to keep Covid a secret. Jews didn't tell the world because they wanted to do business using pandemic. All of this is nonsense. But when some absolute nonsense is repeated many times on the internet, more and more people start believing it. Only way to fight this is through a fight against demonisation of Jewish people and of Jewish state on all fronts simultaneously, on the left, on the right, religious, secular, everywhere. After all, we are Jews and we are very proud of it. I was very happy when I received the Genesis Prize. I donated the prize amount, one million dollars for fight against Covid. Many Jewish people and organisations are doing excellent work in this field. Wion: You most recently served as Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, which seeks to unite and educate Jews across the world…This is seen as a unifying role, and of course there is one other major unifying role in Israel, and that is the president. Would you like to become President of Israel one day? Sharansky: I am very happy and lucky that I got the opportunity to lead the struggle for Soviet Jews, the struggle to bring down the iron cutrain, the struggle for integration of Soviet Jews and many other good opportunities. But everybody has to know where he can contribute. It is great, the position of president of Israel is noble. But (there are) many speeches, many performances and many receptions every day, I don't think I can be good in it.

World is right to warn Russia over Ukraine issue: Former deputy PM of Israel

Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly negotiating a plea bargain to end his corruption trial, if he goes through, the deal could include a provision banning him from politics.

Former Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu negotiating a plea deal, settlement could risk political exile

Anyone would think a politician of former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's stature would pay attention during a meeting of high importance.

However, it appears that he was only physically present at a crucial Knesset session when he unintentionally raised his hand in support of a budget section inserted by the other party, casting his vote among his so-called "rivals."

During an early Thursday session, the Knesset cleared the 2021 budget in a narrow 61-59 vote.

Netanyahu is leading the 'opposition' against his successor, Naftali Bennett, yet he appears to be opposing Bennett in public but secretly supporting him.&nbsp;

Four months ago, after being deposed as prime minister, Netanyahu sat in the prime minister's chair in the Israeli parliament by accident.

Yariv Levin, the outgoing speaker of the Knesset, then urged him to take the opposition leader's seat.&nbsp;

Netanyahu, who has been a major figure in Israeli politics for the past quarter-century, has seen his popularity plummet this year.

Netanyahu is facing allegations of fraud, breach of trust, and bribery, which he rejects but which have cast a pall over his final years in power.

Netanyahu was not required to resign after being indicted under Israeli law, giving him a bully pulpit from which to fight the allegations, advocate for immunity legislation, and express his complaints against the media and the court system. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Anyone would think a politician of former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's stature would pay attention during a meeting of high importance. However, it appears that he was only physically present at a crucial Knesset session when he unintentionally raised his hand in support of a budget section inserted by the other party, casting his vote among his so-called "rivals.

Anyone would think a politician of former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's stature would pay attention during a meeting of high importance. However, it appears that he was only physically present at a crucial Knesset session when he unintentionally raised his hand in support of a budget section inserted by the other party, casting his vote among his so-called "rivals." During an early Thursday session, the Knesset cleared the 2021 budget in a narrow 61-59 vote. Netanyahu is leading the 'opposition' against his successor, Naftali Bennett, yet he appears to be opposing Bennett in public but secretly supporting him. Four months ago, after being deposed as prime minister, Netanyahu sat in the prime minister's chair in the Israeli parliament by accident. Yariv Levin, the outgoing speaker of the Knesset, then urged him to take the opposition leader's seat. Netanyahu, who has been a major figure in Israeli politics for the past quarter-century, has seen his popularity plummet this year. Netanyahu is facing allegations of fraud, breach of trust, and bribery, which he rejects but which have cast a pall over his final years in power. Netanyahu was not required to resign after being indicted under Israeli law, giving him a bully pulpit from which to fight the allegations, advocate for immunity legislation, and express his complaints against the media and the court system. (With inputs from agencies)

Former Israel PM Netanyahu accidentally raises hand, votes with opponents

Former Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu mocked Joe Biden on Sunday as he repeated a previously debunked claim that the US president had dozed off during a meeting with new Israeli leader Naftali Bennett last month. Watch this report for more details.

Israel's  former PM Netanyahu appears to mock Biden

Former Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to suggest in a video that US President Joe Biden fell asleep while meeting current Israel Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. Netanyahu was appearing in Facebook Live when he made this suggestion.

A video that was earlier being shared on social media showed US President Joe Biden looking down and nodding off as Bennett spoke in Oval Office.

A fact check carried out by Reuters found that the video was misleadingly cropped. The fact check debunked the idea that Biden had dozed off.

In a video Netanyahu posted on his Facebook page on Sunday, an off-camera voice says: "You know, Bennett met with Biden."

"I heard that Biden was very attentive at this meeting. He dropped his head in agreement," Netanyahu replied, letting his own head fall in a swift motion, as if to mimic someone falling asleep. He was speaking in Hebrew.

Netanyahu had been seen largely in alignment with former US President Donald Trump's policy towards West Asia.

Netanyahu's reference to the Biden meeting was a brief segment in a nearly 26-minute video that touched on a variety of political issues.

But it drew headlines on Israeli news websites, several of which accused Netanyahu of mocking Biden.

In June, a new government of left-wing, centrist, right-wing and Arab parties led by Bennett replaced Netanyahu's administration, ending the conservative politician's 12-year run as Israel's longest-serving leader.

Now in opposition, Netanyahu has promised to govern again.

(With inputs from agencies)

Former Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to suggest in a video that US President Joe Biden fell asleep while meeting current Israel Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

Former Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to suggest in a video that US President Joe Biden fell asleep while meeting current Israel Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. Netanyahu was appearing in Facebook Live when he made this suggestion. A video that was earlier being shared on social media showed US President Joe Biden looking down and nodding off as Bennett spoke in Oval Office. A fact check carried out by Reuters found that the video was misleadingly cropped. The fact check debunked the idea that Biden had dozed off. In a video Netanyahu posted on his Facebook page on Sunday, an off-camera voice says: "You know, Bennett met with Biden." "I heard that Biden was very attentive at this meeting. He dropped his head in agreement," Netanyahu replied, letting his own head fall in a swift motion, as if to mimic someone falling asleep. He was speaking in Hebrew. Netanyahu had been seen largely in alignment with former US President Donald Trump's policy towards West Asia. Netanyahu's reference to the Biden meeting was a brief segment in a nearly 26-minute video that touched on a variety of political issues. But it drew headlines on Israeli news websites, several of which accused Netanyahu of mocking Biden. In June, a new government of left-wing, centrist, right-wing and Arab parties led by Bennett replaced Netanyahu's administration, ending the conservative politician's 12-year run as Israel's longest-serving leader. Now in opposition, Netanyahu has promised to govern again. (With inputs from agencies)

Netanyahu appears to claim that Biden fell asleep when meeting new Israel PM

A cold scoop is adding fire to West Asia's most heated conflict. Ben & Jerry's have decided to no longer sell their ice cream in Israeli occupied territories. On The West Asia Post tonight, Ghadi Francis tells you what this move means for the region.

The West Asia Post: Meltdown over ice cream in Israel

Israel's 36th government was sworn in at the Knesset on Sunday, following a historic vote that placed Yamina leader Naftali Bennett as prime minister and ousted Benjamin Netanyahu after 12 years as prime minister.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-naftali-bennett-israels-new-prime-minister-391258">Also read: Who is Naftali Bennett, Israel's new Prime Minister?</a>

But the new government's inevitable weakness was highlighted by the razor-thin 60-59 vote of confidence in a combination of left-wing, centrist, right-wing, and Arab parties with little in common except a desire to oust Netanyahu.

Thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv to celebrate the outcome, which came after four inconclusive elections in two years.&nbsp; 
 
Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://cms.wionews.com/videos/israel-naftali-bennett-sworn-in-as-new-pm-ends-netanyahus-12-yr-rule-391251/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Members of Netanyahu's government vacated their seats at the government table in the Knesset plenum immediately after the confidence vote, with Netanyahu departing the prime minister's chair.&nbsp;

Netanyahu, 71, in typically combative style, vowed shortly before his defeat that "if it's our destiny to be in the opposition, we'll do so with our heads high until we take down this bad government and return to lead the country our way".

Beloved as "King Bibi" by his right-wing supporters and condemned as the "crime minister" by his critics, Netanyahu has long been the dominant, and increasingly divisive, figure in Israeli politics.

The new government, formed after an inconclusive March 23 election, plans largely to avoid sweeping moves on hot-button international issues such as policy toward the Palestinians and to focus on domestic reforms.

Palestinians were unmoved by the change of administration, predicting that Bennett would pursue the same right-wing agenda as Netanyahu.

(With inputs from agencies)

Israel's 36th government was sworn in at the Knesset on Sunday, following a historic vote that placed Yamina leader Naftali Bennett as prime minister and ousted Benjamin Netanyahu after 12 years as prime minister.

Israel's 36th government was sworn in at the Knesset on Sunday, following a historic vote that placed Yamina leader Naftali Bennett as prime minister and ousted Benjamin Netanyahu after 12 years as prime minister. Also read: Who is Naftali Bennett, Israel's new Prime Minister? But the new government's inevitable weakness was highlighted by the razor-thin 60-59 vote of confidence in a combination of left-wing, centrist, right-wing, and Arab parties with little in common except a desire to oust Netanyahu. Thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv to celebrate the outcome, which came after four inconclusive elections in two years. Watch: Members of Netanyahu's government vacated their seats at the government table in the Knesset plenum immediately after the confidence vote, with Netanyahu departing the prime minister's chair. Netanyahu, 71, in typically combative style, vowed shortly before his defeat that "if it's our destiny to be in the opposition, we'll do so with our heads high until we take down this bad government and return to lead the country our way". Beloved as "King Bibi" by his right-wing supporters and condemned as the "crime minister" by his critics, Netanyahu has long been the dominant, and increasingly divisive, figure in Israeli politics. The new government, formed after an inconclusive March 23 election, plans largely to avoid sweeping moves on hot-button international issues such as policy toward the Palestinians and to focus on domestic reforms. Palestinians were unmoved by the change of administration, predicting that Bennett would pursue the same right-wing agenda as Netanyahu. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel: 'We'll be back soon', says Netanyahu; vows to stay in politics

Israel's parliament 'Knesset' has chosen Naftali Bennett as the new Prime Minister of Israel. Bennett has unseated Benjamin Netanyahu whose 12-year rule came to an end. The Knesset voted 60-59 in favour of the new government.

Naftali Bennett has a political reputation of being an ultra-nationalist. He will now head a cabinet comprising parties from left to right of the political spectrum.

Benjamin Netanyahu was Prime Minister of Israel since 2009. He has been the longest-serving leader of Israel. Netanyahu''s position was weakened by his repeated failure to register victory in Israel polls since 2019. He is embroiled in a corruption trial as well. He denies any wrongdoing.

<img alt="Naftali Bennett Benjamin Netanyahu" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="aeded235-5049-456e-9eba-f5fe31e1c014" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/2021-06-13T182003Z_1_LYNXNPEH5C0CH_RTROPTP_3_ISRAEL-POLITICS.JPG" />

The Prime Minister-designate Naftali Bennett has struck a coalition deal with centrist politician Yair Lapid (57). As per the deal, Bennett will serve as PM til 2023 and hand over the post to Lapid.

The new government, formed after an inconclusive March 23 election, plans largely to avoid sweeping moves on hot-button international issues such as policy toward the Palestinians, and to focus on domestic reforms.

Palestinians were unmoved by the change of administration, predicting that Bennett would pursue the same right-wing agenda as Netanyahu.

(With inputs from agencies)

Israel's parliament 'Knesset' has chosen Naftali Bennett as the new Prime Minister of Israel. Bennett has unseated Benjamin Netanyahu whose 12-year rule came to an end.

Israel's parliament 'Knesset' has chosen Naftali Bennett as the new Prime Minister of Israel. Bennett has unseated Benjamin Netanyahu whose 12-year rule came to an end. The Knesset voted 60-59 in favour of the new government. Naftali Bennett has a political reputation of being an ultra-nationalist. He will now head a cabinet comprising parties from left to right of the political spectrum. Benjamin Netanyahu was Prime Minister of Israel since 2009. He has been the longest-serving leader of Israel. Netanyahu''s position was weakened by his repeated failure to register victory in Israel polls since 2019. He is embroiled in a corruption trial as well. He denies any wrongdoing. The Prime Minister-designate Naftali Bennett has struck a coalition deal with centrist politician Yair Lapid (57). As per the deal, Bennett will serve as PM til 2023 and hand over the post to Lapid. The new government, formed after an inconclusive March 23 election, plans largely to avoid sweeping moves on hot-button international issues such as policy toward the Palestinians, and to focus on domestic reforms. Palestinians were unmoved by the change of administration, predicting that Bennett would pursue the same right-wing agenda as Netanyahu. (With inputs from agencies)

Netanyahu era ends in Israel, Naftali Bennett becomes new PM

Mickey Levy of the centrist Yesh Atid, the party led by coalition architect Yair Lapid, was on Sunday elected as the speaker of the 120-seat legislative body.&nbsp;

Levy, a legislator from Yair Lapid's centrist Yesh Atid party, has been voted as the new speaker of Israel's parliament on Sunday.&nbsp;

He received 67 votes and his rival, Shas lawmaker Yaakov Margi, got 52 votes.&nbsp;

Between 2013 and 2014, Mickey Levy was the Deputy Minister of Finance.

He was a police officer before entering politics.&nbsp;

Levy was born in Jerusalem, but his parents are from Cizire, Turkey, a Kurdish town.&nbsp;

In an old interview, Levy had stated that he is proud to be a Kurd and that his family arrived in what is now Israel long before Saladin Ayubi, the famed Muslim Kurdish commander.

According to his biography on the Parliament website, he also worked as a police attaché at the Israeli Embassy in Washington and then owned a bus company.

Mickey Levy of the centrist Yesh Atid, the party led by coalition architect Yair Lapid, was on Sunday elected as the speaker of the 120-seat legislative body. Levy, a legislator from Yair Lapid's centrist Yesh Atid party, has been voted as the new speaker of Israel's parliament on Sunday.

Mickey Levy of the centrist Yesh Atid, the party led by coalition architect Yair Lapid, was on Sunday elected as the speaker of the 120-seat legislative body. Levy, a legislator from Yair Lapid's centrist Yesh Atid party, has been voted as the new speaker of Israel's parliament on Sunday. He received 67 votes and his rival, Shas lawmaker Yaakov Margi, got 52 votes. Between 2013 and 2014, Mickey Levy was the Deputy Minister of Finance. He was a police officer before entering politics. Levy was born in Jerusalem, but his parents are from Cizire, Turkey, a Kurdish town. In an old interview, Levy had stated that he is proud to be a Kurd and that his family arrived in what is now Israel long before Saladin Ayubi, the famed Muslim Kurdish commander. According to his biography on the Parliament website, he also worked as a police attaché at the Israeli Embassy in Washington and then owned a bus company.

Israel's new speaker Mickey Levy: The police officer turned politician

The Iranian government has stated that its policy toward Israel will not change as a result of the new Government's formation yesterday night.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-well-be-back-soon-says-netanyahu-vows-to-stay-in-politics-391256">Also read | Israel: 'We'll be back soon', says Netanyahu; vows to stay in politics</a> 
 
“Iran’s enemies are gone and powerful Iran is still here. I don’t think Israel’s policies will change with the new government,” Saeed Khatibzadeh, a foreign ministry spokesman, was quoted by the ISNA news agency as saying.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/benjamin-netanyahu-the-former-military-commando-who-led-israel-for-15-years-391287">Also read | Benjamin Netanyahu: The former military commando who led Israel for 15 years</a>

The statement comes a day after&nbsp;Israel's 36th government was sworn in at the Knesset on Sunday, following a historic vote that placed Yamina leader Naftali Bennett as prime minister and ousted Benjamin Netanyahu after 12 years as prime minister. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-naftali-bennett-israels-new-prime-minister-391258">Also read: Who is Naftali Bennett, Israel's new Prime Minister?</a>

But the new government's inevitable weakness was highlighted by the razor-thin 60-59 vote of confidence in a combination of left-wing, centrist, right-wing, and Arab parties with little in common except a desire to oust Netanyahu. 
 
After two decades of hostility between Iran and Israel, it's difficult to see the two countries ever having amicable relations and cooperating on a variety of levels. They were once allies and friends.

Despite not sharing a border or having any territorial disputes, Israel and Iran have been at odds since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Before that for 30 years, the two countries have had cordial relations.

The Iranian government has stated that its policy toward Israel will not change as a result of the new Government's formation yesterday night. Also read | Israel: 'We'll be back soon', says Netanyahu; vows to stay in politics “Iran’s enemies are gone and powerful Iran is still here.

The Iranian government has stated that its policy toward Israel will not change as a result of the new Government's formation yesterday night. Also read | Israel: 'We'll be back soon', says Netanyahu; vows to stay in politics “Iran’s enemies are gone and powerful Iran is still here. I don’t think Israel’s policies will change with the new government,” Saeed Khatibzadeh, a foreign ministry spokesman, was quoted by the ISNA news agency as saying. Also read | Benjamin Netanyahu: The former military commando who led Israel for 15 years The statement comes a day after Israel's 36th government was sworn in at the Knesset on Sunday, following a historic vote that placed Yamina leader Naftali Bennett as prime minister and ousted Benjamin Netanyahu after 12 years as prime minister. Also read: Who is Naftali Bennett, Israel's new Prime Minister? But the new government's inevitable weakness was highlighted by the razor-thin 60-59 vote of confidence in a combination of left-wing, centrist, right-wing, and Arab parties with little in common except a desire to oust Netanyahu. After two decades of hostility between Iran and Israel, it's difficult to see the two countries ever having amicable relations and cooperating on a variety of levels. They were once allies and friends. Despite not sharing a border or having any territorial disputes, Israel and Iran have been at odds since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Before that for 30 years, the two countries have had cordial relations.

Iran says Israel's policy won't change with Bennett's new government

Naftali Bennett, who was sworn in Sunday as Israel's new prime minister, embodies many of the contradictions that define the 73-year-old nation. He's a religious Jew who made millions in the mostly secular hi-tech sector; a champion of the settlement movement who lives in a Tel Aviv suburb; a former ally of Benjamin Netanyahu who has partnered with centrist and left-wing parties to end his 12-year rule.

His ultranationalist Yamina party won just seven seats in the 120-member Knesset in March elections, the fourth such vote in two years. But by refusing to commit to Netanyahu or his opponents, Bennett positioned himself as kingmaker. Even after one member of his religious-nationalist party abandoned him to protest the new coalition deal, he ended up with the crown.

AN ULTRANATIONALIST WITH A MODERATE COALITION

Bennett has long positioned himself to the right of Netanyahu. But he will be severely constrained by his unwieldy coalition, which has only a narrow majority in parliament and includes parties from the right, left, and centre.

He is opposed to Palestinian independence and strongly supports Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, which the Palestinians and much of the international community see as a major obstacle to peace.

Bennett fiercely criticised Netanyahu after the prime minister agreed to slow settlement construction under pressure from President Barack Obama, who tried and failed to revive the peace process early in his first term.

He briefly served as head of the West Bank settler's council, Yesha, before entering the Knesset in 2013. Bennett later served as cabinet minister of diaspora affairs, education, and defence in various Netanyahu-led governments.

"He's a right-wing leader, a security hard-liner, but at the same time very pragmatic," said Yohanan Plesner, head of the Israel Democracy Institute, who has known Bennett for decades and served with him in the military.

He expects Bennett to engage with other factions to find a common denominator as he seeks support and legitimacy as a national leader.

RIVALRY WITH NETANYAHU

The 49-year-old father of four shares Netanyahu's hawkish approach to the Middle East conflict, but the two have had tense relations over the years. Bennett served as Netanyahu's chief of staff for two years, but they parted ways after a mysterious falling-out that Israeli media linked to Netanyahu's wife, Sara, who wields great influence over her husband's inner circle.

Bennett campaigned as a right-wing stalwart ahead of the March elections and signed a pledge on national TV saying he would never allow Yair Lapid, a centrist and Netanyahu's main rival, to become prime minister. But when it became clear Netanyahu was unable to form a ruling coalition, that's exactly what Bennett did, agreeing to serve as prime minister for two years before handing power to Lapid, the architect of the new coalition.

Netanyahu's supporters have branded Bennett a traitor, saying he defrauded voters. Bennett has defended his decision as a pragmatic move aimed at unifying the country and avoiding the fifth round of elections.

A GENERATIONAL SHIFT

Bennett, a father of four and a modern Orthodox Jew, will be Israel's first prime minister who regularly wears a kippa, the skullcap worn by observant Jews. He lives in the upscale Tel Aviv suburb of Raanana, rather than the settlements he champions.

Bennett began life with his American-born parents in Haifa, then bounced with his family between North America and Israel, military service, law school, and the private sector. Throughout, he's curated a persona that's at once modern, religious, and nationalist.

After serving in the elite Sayeret Matkal commando unit, Bennett went to law school at Hebrew University. In 1999, he co-founded Cyota, an anti-fraud software company that was sold in 2005 to US-based RSA Security for 145 million.

Bennett has said the bitter experience of Israel's 2006 war against the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah drove him to politics. The month-long war ended inconclusively, and Israel's military and political leadership at the time was widely criticised as bungling the campaign.

Bennett represents the third generation of Israeli leaders, after the founders of the state and Netanyahu's generation, which came of age during the country's tense early years marked by repeated wars with Arab states.

He's Israel 3.0, Anshel Pfeffer, a columnist for Israel's left-leaning Haaretz newspaper, wrote in a recent profile of Bennett.

A Jewish nationalist but not really dogmatic. A bit religious, but certainly not devout. A military man who prefers the comforts of civilian urban life and a high-tech entrepreneur who isn't looking to make any more millions. A supporter of the Greater Land of Israel but not a settler. And he may well not be a lifelong politician either.

Naftali Bennett, who was sworn in Sunday as Israel's new prime minister, embodies many of the contradictions that define the 73-year-old nation. He's a religious Jew who made millions in the mostly secular hi-tech sector; a champion of the settlement movement who lives in a Tel Aviv suburb; a former ally of Benjamin Netanyahu who has partnered with centrist and left-wing parties to end his 12-year rule.

Naftali Bennett, who was sworn in Sunday as Israel's new prime minister, embodies many of the contradictions that define the 73-year-old nation. He's a religious Jew who made millions in the mostly secular hi-tech sector; a champion of the settlement movement who lives in a Tel Aviv suburb; a former ally of Benjamin Netanyahu who has partnered with centrist and left-wing parties to end his 12-year rule. His ultranationalist Yamina party won just seven seats in the 120-member Knesset in March elections, the fourth such vote in two years. But by refusing to commit to Netanyahu or his opponents, Bennett positioned himself as kingmaker. Even after one member of his religious-nationalist party abandoned him to protest the new coalition deal, he ended up with the crown. AN ULTRANATIONALIST WITH A MODERATE COALITION Bennett has long positioned himself to the right of Netanyahu. But he will be severely constrained by his unwieldy coalition, which has only a narrow majority in parliament and includes parties from the right, left, and centre. He is opposed to Palestinian independence and strongly supports Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, which the Palestinians and much of the international community see as a major obstacle to peace. Bennett fiercely criticised Netanyahu after the prime minister agreed to slow settlement construction under pressure from President Barack Obama, who tried and failed to revive the peace process early in his first term. He briefly served as head of the West Bank settler's council, Yesha, before entering the Knesset in 2013. Bennett later served as cabinet minister of diaspora affairs, education, and defence in various Netanyahu-led governments. "He's a right-wing leader, a security hard-liner, but at the same time very pragmatic," said Yohanan Plesner, head of the Israel Democracy Institute, who has known Bennett for decades and served with him in the military. He expects Bennett to engage with other factions to find a common denominator as he seeks support and legitimacy as a national leader. RIVALRY WITH NETANYAHU The 49-year-old father of four shares Netanyahu's hawkish approach to the Middle East conflict, but the two have had tense relations over the years. Bennett served as Netanyahu's chief of staff for two years, but they parted ways after a mysterious falling-out that Israeli media linked to Netanyahu's wife, Sara, who wields great influence over her husband's inner circle. Bennett campaigned as a right-wing stalwart ahead of the March elections and signed a pledge on national TV saying he would never allow Yair Lapid, a centrist and Netanyahu's main rival, to become prime minister. But when it became clear Netanyahu was unable to form a ruling coalition, that's exactly what Bennett did, agreeing to serve as prime minister for two years before handing power to Lapid, the architect of the new coalition. Netanyahu's supporters have branded Bennett a traitor, saying he defrauded voters. Bennett has defended his decision as a pragmatic move aimed at unifying the country and avoiding the fifth round of elections. A GENERATIONAL SHIFT Bennett, a father of four and a modern Orthodox Jew, will be Israel's first prime minister who regularly wears a kippa, the skullcap worn by observant Jews. He lives in the upscale Tel Aviv suburb of Raanana, rather than the settlements he champions. Bennett began life with his American-born parents in Haifa, then bounced with his family between North America and Israel, military service, law school, and the private sector. Throughout, he's curated a persona that's at once modern, religious, and nationalist. After serving in the elite Sayeret Matkal commando unit, Bennett went to law school at Hebrew University. In 1999, he co-founded Cyota, an anti-fraud software company that was sold in 2005 to US-based RSA Security for 145 million. Bennett has said the bitter experience of Israel's 2006 war against the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah drove him to politics. The month-long war ended inconclusively, and Israel's military and political leadership at the time was widely criticised as bungling the campaign. Bennett represents the third generation of Israeli leaders, after the founders of the state and Netanyahu's generation, which came of age during the country's tense early years marked by repeated wars with Arab states. He's Israel 3.0, Anshel Pfeffer, a columnist for Israel's left-leaning Haaretz newspaper, wrote in a recent profile of Bennett. A Jewish nationalist but not really dogmatic. A bit religious, but certainly not devout. A military man who prefers the comforts of civilian urban life and a high-tech entrepreneur who isn't looking to make any more millions. A supporter of the Greater Land of Israel but not a settler. And he may well not be a lifelong politician either.

Who is Naftali Bennett, Israel's new prime minister?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's 12-year hold on power was set to end on Sunday when parliament votes on a new government, ushering in an administration that has pledged to heal a nation bitterly divided over the departure of the country's longest serving leader. 
 
Netanyahu, 71, the most dominant Israeli politician of his generation, had failed to form a government after Israel's March 23 election, its fourth in two years. The new cabinet, which will be sworn in after a Knesset confidence vote it is expected to win, was cobbled together by the centrist opposition leader Yair Lapid and ultra-nationalist Naftali Bennett. 
 
Bennett, a hawkish hi-tech millionaire, will serve as premier for two years before Lapid, a former popular TV host, takes over. They will head a government that comprises parties from across the political spectrum, including for the first time one that represents the 21% Arab minority. They plan largely to avoid sweeping moves on hot-button international issues, such as policy towards the Palestinians while they focus on domestic reforms. 
 
With little to no prospect of progress towards resolving the decades-long conflict with Israel, many Palestinians will be unmoved by the change of administration, saying Bennett will likely pursue the same right-wing agenda as Netanyahu. 
 
On the international stage, with his polished English and booming baritone voice, the telegenic Netanyahu has become the face of Israel. Serving in his first term as prime minister in the 1990s and since 2009 winning four more terms in succession, he has been a polarising figure, both abroad and at home. 
 
Often referred to by his nickname Bibi, Netanyahu is loved by his hard-core supporters and loathed by critics. His ongoing corruption trial, on charges he denies, has only deepened the chasm. 
 
His opponents have long reviled what they see as Netanyahu's divisive rhetoric, underhanded political tactics and subjection of state interests to his own political survival. Some have dubbed him 'Crime Minister' and have accused him of mishandling the coronavirus crisis and its economic fallout. 
 
Celebrations by his opponents to mark the end of the Netanyahu era began late on Saturday outside his official residence in Jerusalem, the site of weekly protests against the right-wing leader for the past year, where a black banner stretched across a wall read: "Bye Bye, Bibi, Bye bye", and demonstrators sang, beat drums and danced. 
 
But for Netanyahu's large and loyal voter base, the departure of 'King Bibi' as some call him, may be difficult to accept. His supporters are angered by what they see as the country turning its back on a leader dedicated to its security and a bulwark against international pressure for any steps that could lead to a Palestinian state, even as he promoted diplomatic deals with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan. 
 
None of those moves, however, nor the role he played in securing COVID-19 vaccines for the country's world-beating inoculation campaign, were enough to grant Netanyahu's Likud party enough votes to secure him a sixth term in office. 
 
Bennett in particular has drawn anger from within the right-wing camp for breaking a campaign pledge by joining forces with Lapid. He has justified the move by saying another election, which would likely be called were no government formed, would have been a disaster for Israel. 
 
Both he and Lapid have said they want to bridge political divides and unite Israelis under a government that will work hard for all its citizens. 
 
Their cabinet faces considerable diplomatic, security and financial challenges: Iran, a fragile ceasefire with Palestinian militants in Gaza, a war crimes probe by the International Criminal Court, and economic recovery following the coronavirus pandemic. 
 
On top of that, their patchwork coalition of parties commands only a razor-thin majority in parliament, 61 of the Knesset's 120 seats, and will still have to contend with Netanyahu - who is sure to be a combative head of the opposition. And no one is ruling out a Netanyahu comeback. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's 12-year hold on power was set to end on Sunday when parliament votes on a new government, ushering in an administration that has pledged to heal a nation bitterly divided over the departure of the country's longest serving leader.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's 12-year hold on power was set to end on Sunday when parliament votes on a new government, ushering in an administration that has pledged to heal a nation bitterly divided over the departure of the country's longest serving leader. Netanyahu, 71, the most dominant Israeli politician of his generation, had failed to form a government after Israel's March 23 election, its fourth in two years. The new cabinet, which will be sworn in after a Knesset confidence vote it is expected to win, was cobbled together by the centrist opposition leader Yair Lapid and ultra-nationalist Naftali Bennett. Bennett, a hawkish hi-tech millionaire, will serve as premier for two years before Lapid, a former popular TV host, takes over. They will head a government that comprises parties from across the political spectrum, including for the first time one that represents the 21% Arab minority. They plan largely to avoid sweeping moves on hot-button international issues, such as policy towards the Palestinians while they focus on domestic reforms. With little to no prospect of progress towards resolving the decades-long conflict with Israel, many Palestinians will be unmoved by the change of administration, saying Bennett will likely pursue the same right-wing agenda as Netanyahu. On the international stage, with his polished English and booming baritone voice, the telegenic Netanyahu has become the face of Israel. Serving in his first term as prime minister in the 1990s and since 2009 winning four more terms in succession, he has been a polarising figure, both abroad and at home. Often referred to by his nickname Bibi, Netanyahu is loved by his hard-core supporters and loathed by critics. His ongoing corruption trial, on charges he denies, has only deepened the chasm. His opponents have long reviled what they see as Netanyahu's divisive rhetoric, underhanded political tactics and subjection of state interests to his own political survival. Some have dubbed him 'Crime Minister' and have accused him of mishandling the coronavirus crisis and its economic fallout. Celebrations by his opponents to mark the end of the Netanyahu era began late on Saturday outside his official residence in Jerusalem, the site of weekly protests against the right-wing leader for the past year, where a black banner stretched across a wall read: "Bye Bye, Bibi, Bye bye", and demonstrators sang, beat drums and danced. But for Netanyahu's large and loyal voter base, the departure of 'King Bibi' as some call him, may be difficult to accept. His supporters are angered by what they see as the country turning its back on a leader dedicated to its security and a bulwark against international pressure for any steps that could lead to a Palestinian state, even as he promoted diplomatic deals with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan. None of those moves, however, nor the role he played in securing COVID-19 vaccines for the country's world-beating inoculation campaign, were enough to grant Netanyahu's Likud party enough votes to secure him a sixth term in office. Bennett in particular has drawn anger from within the right-wing camp for breaking a campaign pledge by joining forces with Lapid. He has justified the move by saying another election, which would likely be called were no government formed, would have been a disaster for Israel. Both he and Lapid have said they want to bridge political divides and unite Israelis under a government that will work hard for all its citizens. Their cabinet faces considerable diplomatic, security and financial challenges: Iran, a fragile ceasefire with Palestinian militants in Gaza, a war crimes probe by the International Criminal Court, and economic recovery following the coronavirus pandemic. On top of that, their patchwork coalition of parties commands only a razor-thin majority in parliament, 61 of the Knesset's 120 seats, and will still have to contend with Netanyahu - who is sure to be a combative head of the opposition. And no one is ruling out a Netanyahu comeback. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel's Knesset to vote on new government, end Netanyahu's record reign

The new government in Israel which is set to end current PM Benjamin Netanyahu's 12-year rule signed its final coalition agreement on Friday.

The coalition is expected to focus on economic and social issues. It is not expected to address major diplomatic issues like Israel-Palestinian conflict just yet&nbsp;

Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving leader, will be succeeded on Sunday by a coalition that includes for the first time a party from Israel's Arab minority.

Under a power-sharing agreement, Naftali Bennett, of the ultra-nationalist Yamina (Rightwards) party, will serve as prime minister for two years. He will then hand over the post to Yair Lapid of the centrist Yesh Atid (There is a Future) party.

Bennett said on Friday that the coalition "brings to an end two and a half years of political crisis". However, it is unclear how long the disparate elements of the coalition would hold together.

Among the agreements outlined by parties in what Lapid described as a "unity government" are:

<ul>
	<li>Limiting the prime minister's term of office to two terms, or eight years.</li>
	<li>An infrastructure push to include new hospitals, a new university and a new airport.</li>
	<li>Passing a two-year budget to help stabilize the country's finances - the prolonged political stalemate has left Israel still using a pro-rated version of a base 2019 budget that was ratified in mid-2018.</li>
	<li>Maintaining the "status-quo" on issues of religion and state, with Bennett's Yamina party to have a veto. Possible reforms include breaking up an ultra-Orthodox monopoly on overseeing which foods are kosher, and decentralizing authority over Jewish conversions.</li>
	<li>An "overall plan for transportation" in the Israeli- occupied West Bank.</li>
	<li>A general goal to "ensure Israel's interests" in areas of the West Bank under full Israeli control.* Allocating more than 53 billion shekels ($16 billion) to improve infrastructure and welfare in Arab towns, and curbing violent crime there.</li>
</ul>

The new government in Israel which is set to end current PM Benjamin Netanyahu's 12-year rule signed its final coalition agreement on Friday. The coalition is expected to focus on economic and social issues.

The new government in Israel which is set to end current PM Benjamin Netanyahu's 12-year rule signed its final coalition agreement on Friday. The coalition is expected to focus on economic and social issues. It is not expected to address major diplomatic issues like Israel-Palestinian conflict just yet Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving leader, will be succeeded on Sunday by a coalition that includes for the first time a party from Israel's Arab minority. Under a power-sharing agreement, Naftali Bennett, of the ultra-nationalist Yamina (Rightwards) party, will serve as prime minister for two years. He will then hand over the post to Yair Lapid of the centrist Yesh Atid (There is a Future) party. Bennett said on Friday that the coalition "brings to an end two and a half years of political crisis". However, it is unclear how long the disparate elements of the coalition would hold together. Among the agreements outlined by parties in what Lapid described as a "unity government" are: Limiting the prime minister's term of office to two terms, or eight years. An infrastructure push to include new hospitals, a new university and a new airport. Passing a two-year budget to help stabilize the country's finances - the prolonged political stalemate has left Israel still using a pro-rated version of a base 2019 budget that was ratified in mid-2018. Maintaining the "status-quo" on issues of religion and state, with Bennett's Yamina party to have a veto. Possible reforms include breaking up an ultra-Orthodox monopoly on overseeing which foods are kosher, and decentralizing authority over Jewish conversions. An "overall plan for transportation" in the Israeli- occupied West Bank. A general goal to "ensure Israel's interests" in areas of the West Bank under full Israeli control.* Allocating more than 53 billion shekels ($16 billion) to improve infrastructure and welfare in Arab towns, and curbing violent crime there.

Netanyahu era approaches its end, new government seals coalition deals

The head of Israel's domestic security service issued a rare warning on Saturday of possible violence during one of the most politically charged periods in decades, with the country on the verge of unseating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, its longest serving leader. 
 
Netanyahu is facing the prospect of an end to his 12-year run as premier after Israel's centrist opposition leader Yair Lapid announced on Wednesday that he had succeeded in forming a governing coalition following a March 23 election. 
 
The new government, yet to be sworn in, is an unlikely patchwork of left-wing, liberal, rightist, nationalist and religious parties, as well as - for the first time in Israel's history - an Arab Islamist party. 
 
Netanyahu in online posts has warned the partnership was 'a dangerous leftist government'. 
 
Some right-wing groups are angry at Naftali Bennett, head of a small ultra-nationalist party, who is slated to replace Netanyahu in a power-sharing pact with Lapid, garnering many postings attacking him on social media. 
 
Before the election, Bennett had promised he would not join the centrist Lapid, or any Arab party in a coalition. 
 
"We have recently identified a rise in increasingly extreme violent and inciteful discourse particularly on social networks," Nadav Argaman, head of the Shin Bet security force, said in a statement without mentioning any names. 
 
"This discourse may be interpreted among certain groups or individuals, as one that permits violent and illegal activity that may even cause physical harm," he said. 
 
Since Bennett announced he was joining forces with Lapid, security services have ramped up his protection with right-wing demonstrations held near the homes of his party members, hoping to keep them from joining the government. 
 
Argaman called on political and religious leaders to show responsibility and tone down potential incitements. His warning was reminiscent to some in Israel of the days leading up to the 1995 assassination of then-prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, who was shot by a Jewish ultra-nationalist for pursuing a land-for-peace deal with the Palestinians. 
 
Israel's left has for years pointed the finger at Netanyahu, then head of the opposition, for playing a part in incitement that preceded the assassination. Netanyahu has vehemently rejected the accusation and has repeatedly condemned Rabin's killing. 
 
Lapid and Bennett have said they hope their 'unity government' will heal deep political divides among Israelis and end hate. A poll by Israel's N12 Television's Meet the Press on Saturday showed that 46% of Israelis support the Bennett-Lapid government, 38% would prefer another election - the fifth in about two years - and 15% did not state a preference. 
 
Tensions could flare further this week, when a Jewish right-wing march is expected to pass through Jerusalem's Old City's Damascus gate. Eleven days of intense fighting broke out last month between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, sparked by Israeli-Palestinian confrontations in Jerusalem, in and around the Old City. A similar march, its route diverted at the last minute, was held the day the fighting broke out. 
 
In the nearby flashpoint East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah, where the potential eviction of Palestinians by Jewish settlers played a major role in the buildup to the latest Israel-Hamas conflict, scuffles broke out on Saturday. 
 
Media network Al Jazeera said one of its reporters, Givara Budeiri, had been assaulted and arrested by Israeli police while covering a protest there. 
 
A police spokesperson said that Budeiri had assaulted officers and had refused to identify herself. Footage posted online showed Budeiri, wearing a press vest, being pulled and pushed while led away by three or four officers. Al Jazeera also said the reporter's camera was smashed. 
 
Al Jazeera said the journalist was released a few hours later and was banned from entering Sheikh Jarrah for 15 days. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The head of Israel's domestic security service issued a rare warning on Saturday of possible violence during one of the most politically charged periods in decades, with the country on the verge of unseating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, its longest serving leader.

The head of Israel's domestic security service issued a rare warning on Saturday of possible violence during one of the most politically charged periods in decades, with the country on the verge of unseating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, its longest serving leader. Netanyahu is facing the prospect of an end to his 12-year run as premier after Israel's centrist opposition leader Yair Lapid announced on Wednesday that he had succeeded in forming a governing coalition following a March 23 election. The new government, yet to be sworn in, is an unlikely patchwork of left-wing, liberal, rightist, nationalist and religious parties, as well as - for the first time in Israel's history - an Arab Islamist party. Netanyahu in online posts has warned the partnership was 'a dangerous leftist government'. Some right-wing groups are angry at Naftali Bennett, head of a small ultra-nationalist party, who is slated to replace Netanyahu in a power-sharing pact with Lapid, garnering many postings attacking him on social media. Before the election, Bennett had promised he would not join the centrist Lapid, or any Arab party in a coalition. "We have recently identified a rise in increasingly extreme violent and inciteful discourse particularly on social networks," Nadav Argaman, head of the Shin Bet security force, said in a statement without mentioning any names. "This discourse may be interpreted among certain groups or individuals, as one that permits violent and illegal activity that may even cause physical harm," he said. Since Bennett announced he was joining forces with Lapid, security services have ramped up his protection with right-wing demonstrations held near the homes of his party members, hoping to keep them from joining the government. Argaman called on political and religious leaders to show responsibility and tone down potential incitements. His warning was reminiscent to some in Israel of the days leading up to the 1995 assassination of then-prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, who was shot by a Jewish ultra-nationalist for pursuing a land-for-peace deal with the Palestinians. Israel's left has for years pointed the finger at Netanyahu, then head of the opposition, for playing a part in incitement that preceded the assassination. Netanyahu has vehemently rejected the accusation and has repeatedly condemned Rabin's killing. Lapid and Bennett have said they hope their 'unity government' will heal deep political divides among Israelis and end hate. A poll by Israel's N12 Television's Meet the Press on Saturday showed that 46% of Israelis support the Bennett-Lapid government, 38% would prefer another election - the fifth in about two years - and 15% did not state a preference. Tensions could flare further this week, when a Jewish right-wing march is expected to pass through Jerusalem's Old City's Damascus gate. Eleven days of intense fighting broke out last month between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, sparked by Israeli-Palestinian confrontations in Jerusalem, in and around the Old City. A similar march, its route diverted at the last minute, was held the day the fighting broke out. In the nearby flashpoint East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah, where the potential eviction of Palestinians by Jewish settlers played a major role in the buildup to the latest Israel-Hamas conflict, scuffles broke out on Saturday. Media network Al Jazeera said one of its reporters, Givara Budeiri, had been assaulted and arrested by Israeli police while covering a protest there. A police spokesperson said that Budeiri had assaulted officers and had refused to identify herself. Footage posted online showed Budeiri, wearing a press vest, being pulled and pushed while led away by three or four officers. Al Jazeera also said the reporter's camera was smashed. Al Jazeera said the journalist was released a few hours later and was banned from entering Sheikh Jarrah for 15 days. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel domestic security warns of violence as Netanyahu faces unseating

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces real threat of losing his long hold on power said on Sunday that Facebook was trying to silence the right-wing and that his political rivals were endangering the country.

In tones reminiscent of former U.S. President Trump's allegations of "a stolen election," his comments came a day after the domestic security service appealed to leaders to tone down rhetoric for fear it would spark violence.

"We are witnessing the greatest election fraud in the history of the country, in my opinion in the history of any democracy," Netanyahu said. "That's why people justifiably feel deceived and they are responding, they must not be shut up," he said in broadcast comments to his Likud faction.

Netanyahu is facing the prospect of an end to his 12-year run as Israel prime minister after Israel's centrist opposition leader Yair Lapid announced on Wednesday (June 2) that he had succeeded in forming a governing coalition with parties from across the political spectrum, including, for the first time in Israel's history, an Arab Islamist party. The government has yet to be sworn in.&nbsp;

Some right wing groups are angry at Naftali Bennett, the man who is likely to replace Netanyahu as Israel's prime minister. Bennett broke his campaign pledge to not join coalition with Lapid and left-wing and Arab parties.

Protests have been held outside the homes of his party members and their security has been beefed up following threats on social media, prompting the head of the Shin Bet to issue a rare warning on Saturday saying extreme online discourse could lead to real violence.

While condemning violence and incitement, Netanyahu repeated his designation of the Lapid-Bennett coalition as a dangerous leftist alliance.&nbsp;

"This government is endangering Israel with such a danger the likes of which we have not seen for many years," he said.

He called on Bennett's party members to object to the new government in a confidence vote that has not yet been set.

Netanyahu said Facebook and Twitter were blocking legitimate right-wing criticism of the new government. He added that Facebook had removed a right-wing post that included the address of a Knesset member, where a protest was set to take place, while a left-wing post with the same address calling on people to support the lawmaker, was not taken down.

"It's a scientific case, simply scientific, clinical, that proves an attempt to shut up the right-wing," Netanyahu said.

Twitter did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A spokesperson for Facebook said:

"Privacy and the protection of personal information are important to helping people feel safe on our services. Under our global Community Standards, we do not allow people to post personal or confidential information about others, including people's addresses and phone numbers, therefore we remove such content once we become aware of it" - a Facebook Company spokesperson.

(With inputs from agencies)

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces real threat of losing his long hold on power said on Sunday that Facebook was trying to silence the right-wing and that his political rivals were endangering the country.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces real threat of losing his long hold on power said on Sunday that Facebook was trying to silence the right-wing and that his political rivals were endangering the country. In tones reminiscent of former U.S. President Trump's allegations of "a stolen election," his comments came a day after the domestic security service appealed to leaders to tone down rhetoric for fear it would spark violence. "We are witnessing the greatest election fraud in the history of the country, in my opinion in the history of any democracy," Netanyahu said. "That's why people justifiably feel deceived and they are responding, they must not be shut up," he said in broadcast comments to his Likud faction. Netanyahu is facing the prospect of an end to his 12-year run as Israel prime minister after Israel's centrist opposition leader Yair Lapid announced on Wednesday (June 2) that he had succeeded in forming a governing coalition with parties from across the political spectrum, including, for the first time in Israel's history, an Arab Islamist party. The government has yet to be sworn in. Some right wing groups are angry at Naftali Bennett, the man who is likely to replace Netanyahu as Israel's prime minister. Bennett broke his campaign pledge to not join coalition with Lapid and left-wing and Arab parties. Protests have been held outside the homes of his party members and their security has been beefed up following threats on social media, prompting the head of the Shin Bet to issue a rare warning on Saturday saying extreme online discourse could lead to real violence. While condemning violence and incitement, Netanyahu repeated his designation of the Lapid-Bennett coalition as a dangerous leftist alliance. "This government is endangering Israel with such a danger the likes of which we have not seen for many years," he said. He called on Bennett's party members to object to the new government in a confidence vote that has not yet been set. Netanyahu said Facebook and Twitter were blocking legitimate right-wing criticism of the new government. He added that Facebook had removed a right-wing post that included the address of a Knesset member, where a protest was set to take place, while a left-wing post with the same address calling on people to support the lawmaker, was not taken down. "It's a scientific case, simply scientific, clinical, that proves an attempt to shut up the right-wing," Netanyahu said. Twitter did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for Facebook said: "Privacy and the protection of personal information are important to helping people feel safe on our services. Under our global Community Standards, we do not allow people to post personal or confidential information about others, including people's addresses and phone numbers, therefore we remove such content once we become aware of it" - a Facebook Company spokesperson. (With inputs from agencies)

Amid fears of getting ousted, Netanyahu targets Facebook and Twitter

Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu is set to lose power after a diverse coalition united in an 11th-hour deal against him. Will this be the end of his 12-year-rule? This week on The West Asia Post, Ghadi Francis takes a look at Israel's political chaos.

The West Asia Post: Can the 'Change Government' oust Netanyahu?

Israel's opposition leader on Thursday moved closer to unseating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after reaching an agreement with a coalition of diverse political allies to form a new government.

But the fragile alliance, which would command a thin majority in parliament, was expected to be sworn in only in about 10-12 days, leaving slight room for Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving leader, to try to turn lawmakers against it.

About 35 minutes before a Wednesday midnight deadline, centrist politician Yair Lapid told President Reuven Rivlin in an email: "I am honoured to inform you that I have succeeded in forming a government."

Under the coalition pact, nationalist Naftali Bennett, 49, a former defence minister and a high-tech millionaire, would become prime minister and hand over the post to Lapid, 57, a former TV host and finance minister, in about two years.

The agreement capped a March 23 election in which neither Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party and its allies nor their opponents won a majority in the legislature. It was Israel's fourth national ballot in two years.

The coalition comprises a patchwork of small and medium parties from across the political spectrum, including for the first time in Israel's history one that represents its 21% Arab minority - the United Arab List.

They have little in common other than a desire to oust Netanyahu, whose 12-year run as prime minister has been clouded by a trial on corruption charges that he denies. 
 
The lineup includes Bennett's Yamina (Rightward), centre-left Blue and White, headed by Defence Minister Benny Gantz, the left-wing Meretz and Labour parties, former defence minister Avigdor Lieberman's nationalist Yisrael Beitenu party and New Hope, a right-wing party headed by former education minister Gideon Saar, who broke away from Likud.

Political analysts widely expected Netanyahu to try to pick off what one described as "low-hanging fruit", seizing upon Yamina members who are unhappy about joining forces with Arab and leftist lawmakers.

Tamar Zandberg, a Meretz legislator, acknowledged the difficulties in getting the alliance that her party joined off the ground.

"The coalition's test...is to be sworn in - that won't be without rough patches and problems," she said on Army Radio on Thursday.

Netanyahu, who has yet to respond to Lapid's announcement, controls 30 seats in the 120-member Knesset, almost twice as many as Lapid's Yesh Atid party, and he is allied with at least three other religious and nationalist parties.

STABILITY

A source involved in the coalition talks said the proposed new government would try to retain consensus by avoiding hot-button ideological issues such as whether to annex or cede occupied West Bank territory that Palestinians want for a state.

Bennet has said that the creation of an independent Palestine would be suicide for Israel. He made annexation of parts of the territory that Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war a major feature of his political platform but following through on that with the broad new coalition looked to be politically unfeasible.

But any new flare-up along Israel's volatile border with Gaza, nearly two weeks after a ceasefire ended 11 days of fighting with the Palestinian enclave's ruling Hamas group, could challenge the stability of the broad alliance.

During his tenure as prime minister, Netanyahu has been an often polarizing figure at home and abroad.

He has said a Bennett-Lapid coalition would endanger Israel's security - an allusion to efforts to curb Iran's nuclear programme and managing the Palestinian issue.

Lapid, a centrist who campaigned under a pledge to "return sanity" to Israel, was given the task of forming a government after Netanyahu failed to do so in the wake of the March election.

Netanyahu's rivals have cited the criminal charges against him as the main reason why Israel needs a new leader, arguing that he might use a new term to legislate immunity to shield himself.

"This government...will respect its opponents and do all it can to unites and connect all parts of Israeli society," Lapid said on Twitter.

The new government, if it is sworn in, will face considerable challenges. As well as Iran and the moribund peace process with the Palestinians, it also faces a war crimes probe by the International Criminal Court and economic recovery following the coronavirus pandemic.

Bennett has said its members would have to compromise on such ideological issues to get the country back on track, with government debt at 72.4% in 2020, up from 60% in 2019 and the deficit jumping to 11.6% in 2020 from 3.7% in 2019.

Israel's opposition leader on Thursday moved closer to unseating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after reaching an agreement with a coalition of diverse political allies to form a new government.

Israel's opposition leader on Thursday moved closer to unseating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after reaching an agreement with a coalition of diverse political allies to form a new government. But the fragile alliance, which would command a thin majority in parliament, was expected to be sworn in only in about 10-12 days, leaving slight room for Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving leader, to try to turn lawmakers against it. About 35 minutes before a Wednesday midnight deadline, centrist politician Yair Lapid told President Reuven Rivlin in an email: "I am honoured to inform you that I have succeeded in forming a government." Under the coalition pact, nationalist Naftali Bennett, 49, a former defence minister and a high-tech millionaire, would become prime minister and hand over the post to Lapid, 57, a former TV host and finance minister, in about two years. The agreement capped a March 23 election in which neither Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party and its allies nor their opponents won a majority in the legislature. It was Israel's fourth national ballot in two years. The coalition comprises a patchwork of small and medium parties from across the political spectrum, including for the first time in Israel's history one that represents its 21% Arab minority - the United Arab List. They have little in common other than a desire to oust Netanyahu, whose 12-year run as prime minister has been clouded by a trial on corruption charges that he denies. The lineup includes Bennett's Yamina (Rightward), centre-left Blue and White, headed by Defence Minister Benny Gantz, the left-wing Meretz and Labour parties, former defence minister Avigdor Lieberman's nationalist Yisrael Beitenu party and New Hope, a right-wing party headed by former education minister Gideon Saar, who broke away from Likud. Political analysts widely expected Netanyahu to try to pick off what one described as "low-hanging fruit", seizing upon Yamina members who are unhappy about joining forces with Arab and leftist lawmakers. Tamar Zandberg, a Meretz legislator, acknowledged the difficulties in getting the alliance that her party joined off the ground. "The coalition's test...is to be sworn in - that won't be without rough patches and problems," she said on Army Radio on Thursday. Netanyahu, who has yet to respond to Lapid's announcement, controls 30 seats in the 120-member Knesset, almost twice as many as Lapid's Yesh Atid party, and he is allied with at least three other religious and nationalist parties. STABILITY A source involved in the coalition talks said the proposed new government would try to retain consensus by avoiding hot-button ideological issues such as whether to annex or cede occupied West Bank territory that Palestinians want for a state. Bennet has said that the creation of an independent Palestine would be suicide for Israel. He made annexation of parts of the territory that Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war a major feature of his political platform but following through on that with the broad new coalition looked to be politically unfeasible. But any new flare-up along Israel's volatile border with Gaza, nearly two weeks after a ceasefire ended 11 days of fighting with the Palestinian enclave's ruling Hamas group, could challenge the stability of the broad alliance. During his tenure as prime minister, Netanyahu has been an often polarizing figure at home and abroad. He has said a Bennett-Lapid coalition would endanger Israel's security - an allusion to efforts to curb Iran's nuclear programme and managing the Palestinian issue. Lapid, a centrist who campaigned under a pledge to "return sanity" to Israel, was given the task of forming a government after Netanyahu failed to do so in the wake of the March election. Netanyahu's rivals have cited the criminal charges against him as the main reason why Israel needs a new leader, arguing that he might use a new term to legislate immunity to shield himself. "This government...will respect its opponents and do all it can to unites and connect all parts of Israeli society," Lapid said on Twitter. The new government, if it is sworn in, will face considerable challenges. As well as Iran and the moribund peace process with the Palestinians, it also faces a war crimes probe by the International Criminal Court and economic recovery following the coronavirus pandemic. Bennett has said its members would have to compromise on such ideological issues to get the country back on track, with government debt at 72.4% in 2020, up from 60% in 2019 and the deficit jumping to 11.6% in 2020 from 3.7% in 2019.

Israeli opposition announces new government, set to unseat Netanyahu

Race to Knesset: Israel's political roller coaster since its last election

Israeli nationalist hardliner Naftali Bennett said on Sunday that he will join a coalition with Centrist Yair Lapid. This development in Israel's domestic politics can potentially end the rule of country's longest-serving leader and current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"I will do everything to form a national unity government with my friend Yair Lapid," Bennett said after meeting with his own party, Yamina.&nbsp;

Bennett and Lapid joining forces can also prove to be a step towards ending political instability in Israel.

Israel has had four inconclusive elections in under two years. After vote in March, Netanyahu's Likud party gained most seat but failed to form government again.&nbsp;

Netanyahu now faces charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. He has denied accusations against him. Netanyahu had been able to cling to power through the period of political turmoil in Israel.

Yair Lapid has had his hands full and he faced a deadline as he had until Wednesday 11:59 pm local time (2059 GMT) to build a coalition of at least 61 deputies, a majority in the 120-seat Knesset.

The latest development of Naftali Bennet extending a friendly hand may make Lapid's work much more easier.

Netanyahu, in office for 12 consecutive years after an earlier three-year term, tried to cling to power Sunday by offering his own, last-ditch power-sharing agreement to several former allies including Bennett.

He warned that Israel would otherwise be ruled by a dangerous "left-wing" alliance.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Israeli nationalist hardliner Naftali Bennett said on Sunday that he will join a coalition with Centrist Yair Lapid. This development in Israel's domestic politics can potentially end the rule of country's longest-serving leader and current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israeli nationalist hardliner Naftali Bennett said on Sunday that he will join a coalition with Centrist Yair Lapid. This development in Israel's domestic politics can potentially end the rule of country's longest-serving leader and current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "I will do everything to form a national unity government with my friend Yair Lapid," Bennett said after meeting with his own party, Yamina. Bennett and Lapid joining forces can also prove to be a step towards ending political instability in Israel. Israel has had four inconclusive elections in under two years. After vote in March, Netanyahu's Likud party gained most seat but failed to form government again. Netanyahu now faces charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. He has denied accusations against him. Netanyahu had been able to cling to power through the period of political turmoil in Israel. Yair Lapid has had his hands full and he faced a deadline as he had until Wednesday 11:59 pm local time (2059 GMT) to build a coalition of at least 61 deputies, a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. The latest development of Naftali Bennet extending a friendly hand may make Lapid's work much more easier. Netanyahu, in office for 12 consecutive years after an earlier three-year term, tried to cling to power Sunday by offering his own, last-ditch power-sharing agreement to several former allies including Bennett. He warned that Israel would otherwise be ruled by a dangerous "left-wing" alliance. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel: Coalition takes shape against Netanyahu as leaders join forces

Uncertainty over whether Israeli nationalist hardliner Naftali Bennet would joined a governing coalition persisted on Sunday. If he decides to join, it may mark end of the rule of Israel's longest-serving leader Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Lawmakers opposed to right-wing Netanyahu were in intense talks ahead of a Wednesday deadline, as a ceasefire held following the latest deadly military conflict with Islamist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu faces trail on fraud bribery and breach of trust charges. He denies those accusations. He has been able to cling to power through period of political turmoil. Israel has had four inconclusive elections in under two years.

After vote in March, Netanyahu's Likud party gained most seat but failed to form government again.&nbsp;

Former TV anchor Yair Lapid is now trying to build a rival coalition

Centrist Lapid has until Wednesday 11:59 pm local time (2059 GMT) to build a coalition of at least 61 deputies, a majority in the 120-seat Knesset.

The 57-year-old is seeking to forge a diverse alliance the Israeli media has dubbed a bloc for "change", which would include Bennett as well as Arab-Israeli lawmakers.&nbsp;

In his determination to bring down the hawkish prime minister, Lapid has offered to share power and let Bennett, 49, serve the first term in a rotating premiership.

Bennett was expected to speak Sunday evening after a meeting with his party, a spokeswoman said.

Netanyahu, in office for 12 consecutive years after an earlier three-year term, tried to cling to power Sunday by offering his own, last-ditch power-sharing agreement to several former allies including Bennett.

He warned that Israel would otherwise be ruled by a dangerous "left-wing" alliance.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Uncertainty over whether Israeli nationalist hardliner Naftali Bennet would joined a governing coalition persisted on Sunday. If he decides to join, it may mark end of the rule of Israel's longest-serving leader Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Uncertainty over whether Israeli nationalist hardliner Naftali Bennet would joined a governing coalition persisted on Sunday. If he decides to join, it may mark end of the rule of Israel's longest-serving leader Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Lawmakers opposed to right-wing Netanyahu were in intense talks ahead of a Wednesday deadline, as a ceasefire held following the latest deadly military conflict with Islamist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu faces trail on fraud bribery and breach of trust charges. He denies those accusations. He has been able to cling to power through period of political turmoil. Israel has had four inconclusive elections in under two years. After vote in March, Netanyahu's Likud party gained most seat but failed to form government again. Former TV anchor Yair Lapid is now trying to build a rival coalition Centrist Lapid has until Wednesday 11:59 pm local time (2059 GMT) to build a coalition of at least 61 deputies, a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. The 57-year-old is seeking to forge a diverse alliance the Israeli media has dubbed a bloc for "change", which would include Bennett as well as Arab-Israeli lawmakers. In his determination to bring down the hawkish prime minister, Lapid has offered to share power and let Bennett, 49, serve the first term in a rotating premiership. Bennett was expected to speak Sunday evening after a meeting with his party, a spokeswoman said. Netanyahu, in office for 12 consecutive years after an earlier three-year term, tried to cling to power Sunday by offering his own, last-ditch power-sharing agreement to several former allies including Bennett. He warned that Israel would otherwise be ruled by a dangerous "left-wing" alliance. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel: Domestic political bloc steps up efforts to oust Netanyahu

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu manoeuvred on Sunday to dissuade opponents from forming a "government of change". With media reports saying a deal to unseat Israel's longest-serving leader could be imminent.

A mandate for opposition chief Yair Lapid to put together a coalition after four inconclusive elections in two years expires on Wednesday. Israeli media said Lapid was closing in on an alliance of right-wing, centrist and leftist parties.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-misses-deadline-to-form-govt-political-future-in-question-382841">Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu misses deadline to form govt, political future in question</a>&nbsp;

Lapid's chances of success rest largely with far-right politician Naftali Bennett, a kingmaker whose Yamina party has six key seats in parliament.

Bennett, 49, was widely expected to announce, possibly as early as Sunday, whether he would team up with Lapid, who heads the centrist Yesh Atid party. Israeli media reports largely predicted Bennett would agree to the partnership.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-president-reuven-rivlin-gives-opposition-chief-lapid-mandate-to-form-government-383057">Israel President Reuven Rivlin gives opposition chief Lapid mandate to form government</a>

But first, Bennett would have to rally his own party's legislators behind joining what right-winger Netanyahu's opponents have described as a government of "change" comprising factions from the left, centre and right.

Still, short of a parliamentary majority after a March 23 election that ended in stalemate, such a diverse grouping could be fragile and require outside backing by Arab members of parliament whose political views differ sharply from Yamina's.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/blatant-anti-israel-obsession-netanyahu-denounces-war-crime-probe-by-un-387900">'Blatant anti-Israel obsession': Netanyahu denounces war crime probe by UN</a>

Bennett has maintained public silence in recent days, but Israeli political commentators largely predicted he would opt for a partnership with Lapid. Faced with a possible deal, Netanyahu made a sudden counter-offer on Sunday that would entail a break in the prime minister's 12 consecutive years in office.

Triple Rotation

In a proposal he signed along with leaders of parties in his current coalition, Netanyahu offered to go second in a "triple rotation" of the premiership of a right-wing government.

Under the blueprint, published by a Likud spokesman, Gideon Saar, head of the rightist New Horizon party, would become prime minister for 15 months, followed by Netanyahu for two years and then Bennett for an unspecified "remainder of its term".

Saar, a former Likud cabinet minister, swiftly rejected the offer, writing on Twitter: "Our position and commitment are unchanged - to end Netanyahu's rule."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
עמדתנו ומחוייבותנו היתה ונותרה: החלפת שלטון נתניהו. בהתאם לכך נמשיך לפעול. המלצה חמה לימים הקרובים: התעלמו מספינים.
— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) <a href="https://twitter.com/gidonsaar/status/1398899235387592710?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

There was no immediate comment from Bennett, a former defence minister, who has reversed course before over ousting Netanyahu, 71, a right-wing leader in power consecutively since 2009 and now on trial on corruption charges which he denies.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/witch-hunt-benjamin-netanyahu-denies-all-corruption-charges-in-mondays-trial-362177">Witch-hunt: Benjamin Netanyahu denies all corruption charges in Monday's trial</a>

Yamina announced late on Saturday that Bennett would meet and update its legislators on Sunday, after reports he had agreed to a rotation deal with Lapid and would serve as a prime minister first.

Netanyahu's rivals have cited his ongoing trial on corruption charges, which he denies, as the main reason why Israel needs a new leader.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-faces-court-in-corruption-trial-375515">Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces court in corruption trial</a>

Remaining in government, his critics say, could help Netanyahu in any bid to legislate immunity that could end the proceedings.

With a deal with Lapid widely reported to have been finalised just before fighting erupted on May 10 between Israel and Gaza militants, Bennett said that he was abandoning efforts to form a coalition with the centre and left during the hostilities.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hamas-conflict-ceasefire-between-israel-and-hamas-takes-effect-after-11-day-conflict-leaves-hundreds-dead-386387">Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas takes effect after 11-day conflict leaves hundreds dead</a>

But a ceasefire is holding, a recent wave of street violence in Israel between Arabs and Jews has ebbed, and a Lapid-Bennett partnership could be back on track.

If Lapid, 57, fails to announce a government by Wednesday, a fifth Israeli election since April 2019 - a prospect Bennett has said he wants to avoid - is likely.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu manoeuvred on Sunday to dissuade opponents from forming a "government of change". With media reports saying a deal to unseat Israel's longest-serving leader could be imminent.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu manoeuvred on Sunday to dissuade opponents from forming a "government of change". With media reports saying a deal to unseat Israel's longest-serving leader could be imminent. A mandate for opposition chief Yair Lapid to put together a coalition after four inconclusive elections in two years expires on Wednesday. Israeli media said Lapid was closing in on an alliance of right-wing, centrist and leftist parties. Also Read | Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu misses deadline to form govt, political future in question Lapid's chances of success rest largely with far-right politician Naftali Bennett, a kingmaker whose Yamina party has six key seats in parliament. Bennett, 49, was widely expected to announce, possibly as early as Sunday, whether he would team up with Lapid, who heads the centrist Yesh Atid party. Israeli media reports largely predicted Bennett would agree to the partnership. Also Read | Israel President Reuven Rivlin gives opposition chief Lapid mandate to form government But first, Bennett would have to rally his own party's legislators behind joining what right-winger Netanyahu's opponents have described as a government of "change" comprising factions from the left, centre and right. Still, short of a parliamentary majority after a March 23 election that ended in stalemate, such a diverse grouping could be fragile and require outside backing by Arab members of parliament whose political views differ sharply from Yamina's. Also Read | 'Blatant anti-Israel obsession': Netanyahu denounces war crime probe by UN Bennett has maintained public silence in recent days, but Israeli political commentators largely predicted he would opt for a partnership with Lapid. Faced with a possible deal, Netanyahu made a sudden counter-offer on Sunday that would entail a break in the prime minister's 12 consecutive years in office. Triple Rotation In a proposal he signed along with leaders of parties in his current coalition, Netanyahu offered to go second in a "triple rotation" of the premiership of a right-wing government. Under the blueprint, published by a Likud spokesman, Gideon Saar, head of the rightist New Horizon party, would become prime minister for 15 months, followed by Netanyahu for two years and then Bennett for an unspecified "remainder of its term". Saar, a former Likud cabinet minister, swiftly rejected the offer, writing on Twitter: "Our position and commitment are unchanged - to end Netanyahu's rule." עמדתנו ומחוייבותנו היתה ונותרה: החלפת שלטון נתניהו. בהתאם לכך נמשיך לפעול. המלצה חמה לימים הקרובים: התעלמו מספינים. — Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) May 30, 2021 × There was no immediate comment from Bennett, a former defence minister, who has reversed course before over ousting Netanyahu, 71, a right-wing leader in power consecutively since 2009 and now on trial on corruption charges which he denies. Also Read | Witch-hunt: Benjamin Netanyahu denies all corruption charges in Monday's trial Yamina announced late on Saturday that Bennett would meet and update its legislators on Sunday, after reports he had agreed to a rotation deal with Lapid and would serve as a prime minister first. Netanyahu's rivals have cited his ongoing trial on corruption charges, which he denies, as the main reason why Israel needs a new leader. Also Read | Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces court in corruption trial Remaining in government, his critics say, could help Netanyahu in any bid to legislate immunity that could end the proceedings. With a deal with Lapid widely reported to have been finalised just before fighting erupted on May 10 between Israel and Gaza militants, Bennett said that he was abandoning efforts to form a coalition with the centre and left during the hostilities. Also Read | Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas takes effect after 11-day conflict leaves hundreds dead But a ceasefire is holding, a recent wave of street violence in Israel between Arabs and Jews has ebbed, and a Lapid-Bennett partnership could be back on track. If Lapid, 57, fails to announce a government by Wednesday, a fifth Israeli election since April 2019 - a prospect Bennett has said he wants to avoid - is likely.

Netanyahu in last-minute bid to scupper possible deal to unseat him

Israeli airstrikes on the Palestinian enclave continue early morning as health officials say at least 197 civilians, including 58 minors, have so far been killed.

More than 250 wounded people were evacuated to Egypt for treatment, according to medical and border sources.

Three convoys transporting a total of 263 Palestinians crossed the Rafah border post into Egypt’s restive North Sinai region. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-pm-netanyahu-defends-media-house-attack-says-building-was-legitimate-target-385466">Also read | Israel PM Netanyahu defends media house attack, says the building was 'legitimate target'</a> 
 
Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City flatten three buildings and kill at least 42 people on Sunday, as reported by Aljazeera news.

Gaza health authorities said 40,000 people had been displaced from their homes, and the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, announced over 40 of UNRWA's schools had been converted into shelters. 
 
Watch | Israel-Palestine Conflict: Israel bombs Hamas Gaza chief's home

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-palestine-conflict-israel-bombs-hamas-gaza-chiefs-home-385477/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Israel's bombardment of Gaza entered its eighth consecutive day after raids on Sunday killed at least 42 Palestinians, wounded dozens more, and flattened at least two residential buildings.

The home of Gaza's Hamas chief, Yehya al-Sinwar, was also targeted, as reported by Aljazeera news.

The United Nations Security Council met on Sunday to discuss the worst outbreak of violence in years in Palestine and Israel.

US President Biden conferred with Netanyahu and Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, about efforts to broker a cease-fire. While supporting Israel's right to defend itself from rocket attacks by Hamas militants, Biden urged Netanyahu to protect civilians and journalists.

Over the past week, the 15-member U.N. Security Council met privately at least twice to discuss ways of reducing tensions. But efforts to reach an agreement on a statement or to hold an open meeting had faced resistance from the United States, Israel's biggest defender on the council.

Even before Sunday morning's attack, Israeli airstrikes had intensified over the weekend, with an attack on a house in a refugee camp in Gaza that killed 10 members of an extended family, including women and children, and another that destroyed a high-rise that housed media outlets of Al Jazeera.

The cross-border fire has sparked inter-communal violence between Jews and Arab-Israelis, as well as deadly clashes in the occupied West Bank, where 19 Palestinians have been killed since Monday.

A rocket on Sunday damaged a synagogue in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, shortly before prayers for the Shavuot Jewish holiday.

(With inputs from agencies)

Israeli airstrikes on the Palestinian enclave continue early morning as health officials say at least 197 civilians, including 58 minors, have so far been killed.

Israeli airstrikes on the Palestinian enclave continue early morning as health officials say at least 197 civilians, including 58 minors, have so far been killed. More than 250 wounded people were evacuated to Egypt for treatment, according to medical and border sources. Three convoys transporting a total of 263 Palestinians crossed the Rafah border post into Egypt’s restive North Sinai region. Also read | Israel PM Netanyahu defends media house attack, says the building was 'legitimate target' Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City flatten three buildings and kill at least 42 people on Sunday, as reported by Aljazeera news. Gaza health authorities said 40,000 people had been displaced from their homes, and the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, announced over 40 of UNRWA's schools had been converted into shelters. Watch | Israel-Palestine Conflict: Israel bombs Hamas Gaza chief's home Israel's bombardment of Gaza entered its eighth consecutive day after raids on Sunday killed at least 42 Palestinians, wounded dozens more, and flattened at least two residential buildings. The home of Gaza's Hamas chief, Yehya al-Sinwar, was also targeted, as reported by Aljazeera news. The United Nations Security Council met on Sunday to discuss the worst outbreak of violence in years in Palestine and Israel. US President Biden conferred with Netanyahu and Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, about efforts to broker a cease-fire. While supporting Israel's right to defend itself from rocket attacks by Hamas militants, Biden urged Netanyahu to protect civilians and journalists. Over the past week, the 15-member U.N. Security Council met privately at least twice to discuss ways of reducing tensions. But efforts to reach an agreement on a statement or to hold an open meeting had faced resistance from the United States, Israel's biggest defender on the council. Even before Sunday morning's attack, Israeli airstrikes had intensified over the weekend, with an attack on a house in a refugee camp in Gaza that killed 10 members of an extended family, including women and children, and another that destroyed a high-rise that housed media outlets of Al Jazeera. The cross-border fire has sparked inter-communal violence between Jews and Arab-Israelis, as well as deadly clashes in the occupied West Bank, where 19 Palestinians have been killed since Monday. A rocket on Sunday damaged a synagogue in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, shortly before prayers for the Shavuot Jewish holiday. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel-Palestine conflict: Gaza fighting enters second week, death toll nears 200

The deadly clashes between Israel and Hamas militants escalated in what has become the heaviest flare-up since the 2014 Gaza War.&nbsp;

Fighter jets of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) unleashed a series of heavy airstrikes at multiple locations in Gaza City earlier today.&nbsp;

This came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signalled the fourth war with Gaza's Hamas rulers would rage on. Hamas also pressed on, launching rockets from civilian areas in Gaza toward civilian areas in Israel. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-pm-netanyahu-defends-media-house-attack-says-building-was-legitimate-target-385466">Also read | Israel PM Netanyahu defends media house attack, says the building was 'legitimate target'</a>

The Israeli attack destroyed 15 kilometres (nine miles) of militant tunnels and the homes of nine alleged Hamas commanders, according to a news report by Israeli media outlet The Times of Israel. 
 
Watch: Several injured in car-ramming attack in Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah 
&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/several-injured-in-car-ramming-attack-in-jerusalems-sheikh-jarrah-385526/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Israel's army said in a statement that it hit the homes of nine "high-ranking" Hamas commanders, without providing details on casualties.

The overnight bombardment also included the third round of strikes on what the army calls the "Metro," its term for a Hamas underground tunnel network.

Fifty-four fighter jets pounded 15 kilometres (nine miles) of tunnels, which the army has previously acknowledged runs in part through civilian areas.

Gazan Mani Qazaat said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "should realise we're civilians, not fighters", adding "I felt like I was dying". 
 
'Legitimate'

The renewed strikes come a day after 42 Palestinians in Gaza -- including at least eight children and two doctors, according to the health ministry -- were killed in the worst daily death toll in the enclave since the bombardments began.

In total, 197 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, including at least 58 children, and more than 1,200 wounded since Israel launched its air campaign against Hamas on May 10 after the group fired rockets. The heaviest exchange of fire in years was sparked by unrest in Jerusalem.

In Israel, 10 people, including one child, have been killed and 294 wounded by rocket fire launched by armed groups in Gaza.

Israel's army said about 3,100 rockets had been fired since last Monday from Gaza -- the highest rate ever recorded -- but added it's Iron Dome anti-missile system had intercepted over 1,000.

Netanyahu said in a televised address Sunday that Israel's "campaign against the terrorist organisations is continuing with full force" and would "take time" to finish.

The Israeli army said it had targeted the infrastructure of Hamas and armed group Islamic Jihad, weapons factories and storage sites.

Israeli airstrikes also hit the home of Yahya Sinwar, head of Hamas's political wing in Gaza, the army said, releasing footage of plumes of smoke and intense damage, but without saying if he was killed.

On Saturday, Israel gave journalists from Al Jazeera and AP news agency an hour to evacuate their offices before launching airstrikes, turning their tower block into piles of smoking rubble.

Netanyahu on Sunday said the building also hosted a Palestinian "terrorist" intelligence office.

"It is a legitimate target," he said.

Inter-communal clashes

The violence between Hamas and Israel is the worst since 2014 when Israel launched a military operation on the Gaza Strip with the stated aim of ending rocket fire and destroying tunnels used for smuggling.

The war left 2,251 dead on the Palestinian side, mostly civilians, and 74 on the Israeli side, mostly soldiers.

Opening the first session of the UN Security Council on the renewed violence on Sunday, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the fighting "utterly appalling".

"It must stop immediately," he said.

But the UN talks, already delayed by Israel's ally the United States, resulted in little action, with Washington opposing a resolution.

President Joe Biden's administration says it is working behind the scenes, and that a Security Council statement could backfire.

Israel is also trying to contain inter-communal violence between Jews and Arab-Israelis, as well as deadly clashes in the occupied West Bank, where 19 Palestinians have been killed since May 10, according to a toll from Palestinian authorities.

Major clashes broke out at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound -- one of Islam's holiest sites -- on May 7 following a crackdown against protests over planned expulsions of Palestinians in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem.

Sheikh Jarrah has been at the heart of the flareup, seeing weeks of clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces.

On Sunday, a car-ramming attack in Sheikh Jarrah wounded seven police officers, police said, adding that the attacker had been killed.

Police also said "several suspects" had been arrested during clashes in another east Jerusalem neighbourhood overnight Sunday to Monday.

Guterres warned the fighting could have far-reaching consequences if not stopped immediately.

"It has the potential to unleash an uncontainable security and humanitarian crisis and to further foster extremism, not only in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel but in the region as a whole."

(With inputs from agencies)

The deadly clashes between Israel and Hamas militants escalated in what has become the heaviest flare-up since the 2014 Gaza War. Fighter jets of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) unleashed a series of heavy airstrikes at multiple locations in Gaza City earlier today.

The deadly clashes between Israel and Hamas militants escalated in what has become the heaviest flare-up since the 2014 Gaza War. Fighter jets of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) unleashed a series of heavy airstrikes at multiple locations in Gaza City earlier today. This came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signalled the fourth war with Gaza's Hamas rulers would rage on. Hamas also pressed on, launching rockets from civilian areas in Gaza toward civilian areas in Israel. Also read | Israel PM Netanyahu defends media house attack, says the building was 'legitimate target' The Israeli attack destroyed 15 kilometres (nine miles) of militant tunnels and the homes of nine alleged Hamas commanders, according to a news report by Israeli media outlet The Times of Israel. Watch: Several injured in car-ramming attack in Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah Israel's army said in a statement that it hit the homes of nine "high-ranking" Hamas commanders, without providing details on casualties. The overnight bombardment also included the third round of strikes on what the army calls the "Metro," its term for a Hamas underground tunnel network. Fifty-four fighter jets pounded 15 kilometres (nine miles) of tunnels, which the army has previously acknowledged runs in part through civilian areas. Gazan Mani Qazaat said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "should realise we're civilians, not fighters", adding "I felt like I was dying". 'Legitimate' The renewed strikes come a day after 42 Palestinians in Gaza -- including at least eight children and two doctors, according to the health ministry -- were killed in the worst daily death toll in the enclave since the bombardments began. In total, 197 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, including at least 58 children, and more than 1,200 wounded since Israel launched its air campaign against Hamas on May 10 after the group fired rockets. The heaviest exchange of fire in years was sparked by unrest in Jerusalem. In Israel, 10 people, including one child, have been killed and 294 wounded by rocket fire launched by armed groups in Gaza. Israel's army said about 3,100 rockets had been fired since last Monday from Gaza -- the highest rate ever recorded -- but added it's Iron Dome anti-missile system had intercepted over 1,000. Netanyahu said in a televised address Sunday that Israel's "campaign against the terrorist organisations is continuing with full force" and would "take time" to finish. The Israeli army said it had targeted the infrastructure of Hamas and armed group Islamic Jihad, weapons factories and storage sites. Israeli airstrikes also hit the home of Yahya Sinwar, head of Hamas's political wing in Gaza, the army said, releasing footage of plumes of smoke and intense damage, but without saying if he was killed. On Saturday, Israel gave journalists from Al Jazeera and AP news agency an hour to evacuate their offices before launching airstrikes, turning their tower block into piles of smoking rubble. Netanyahu on Sunday said the building also hosted a Palestinian "terrorist" intelligence office. "It is a legitimate target," he said. Inter-communal clashes The violence between Hamas and Israel is the worst since 2014 when Israel launched a military operation on the Gaza Strip with the stated aim of ending rocket fire and destroying tunnels used for smuggling. The war left 2,251 dead on the Palestinian side, mostly civilians, and 74 on the Israeli side, mostly soldiers. Opening the first session of the UN Security Council on the renewed violence on Sunday, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the fighting "utterly appalling". "It must stop immediately," he said. But the UN talks, already delayed by Israel's ally the United States, resulted in little action, with Washington opposing a resolution. President Joe Biden's administration says it is working behind the scenes, and that a Security Council statement could backfire. Israel is also trying to contain inter-communal violence between Jews and Arab-Israelis, as well as deadly clashes in the occupied West Bank, where 19 Palestinians have been killed since May 10, according to a toll from Palestinian authorities. Major clashes broke out at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound -- one of Islam's holiest sites -- on May 7 following a crackdown against protests over planned expulsions of Palestinians in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem. Sheikh Jarrah has been at the heart of the flareup, seeing weeks of clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces. On Sunday, a car-ramming attack in Sheikh Jarrah wounded seven police officers, police said, adding that the attacker had been killed. Police also said "several suspects" had been arrested during clashes in another east Jerusalem neighbourhood overnight Sunday to Monday. Guterres warned the fighting could have far-reaching consequences if not stopped immediately. "It has the potential to unleash an uncontainable security and humanitarian crisis and to further foster extremism, not only in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel but in the region as a whole." (With inputs from agencies)

Israel-Palestine conflict: IDF strikes Hamas tunnels in Gaza, world leaders call for de-escalation

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday defended Israel's attack on Gaza tower housing Al-Jazeera and The Associated Press offices. He called the attack "perfectly legitimate attack'. His comments are sure to attract criticism for Israel which is already facing global heat.

"An intelligence office for the Palestinian terrorist organization (was) housed in that building that plots and organizes the terror attacks against Israeli civilians," Netanyahu told CBS News.

"So it is a perfectly legitimate target. I can tell you that we took every precaution to make sure that there were no civilian injuries, in fact, no deaths."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/worldwide-protest-against-israel-over-gaza-violence-385447/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

On Saturday (May 15), an Israeli air attack flattened the building in Gaza that housed the media offices.

The attack sent alarm bells ringing across world that is already voicing concern about the escalating Israel-Palestine violence. The attack on media houses elicited a response even from the US, a strong ally of Israel. The US on Saturday asked Israel to protect the journalists.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nearly-3000-rockets-fired-from-gaza-towards-israel-army-claims-385423">Nearly 3,000 rockets fired from Gaza towards Israel, army claims</a>

On Sunday, several strong statements came from the Israeli camp. Israel army chief said that Hamas had 'misjudged' Israel's strength.

"Hamas misjudged the strength of our response," said Aviv Kochavi, the army's chief of general staff, saying Gaza had since been enduring an aerial bombardment of unprecedented "intensity".

'Premeditated violence', says Israel at UN

Israel alleged that violence by&nbsp;Hamas was 'premeditated'.&nbsp;

"It was completely premeditated by Hamas in order to gain political power," said Israel's ambassador to the world body, Gilad Erdan. He was speaking during a session called by United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on the crisis.

Hamas said its rocket fire into Israel was in response to Israeli forces' entry into the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem, amid high tensions over moves to evict Palestinian families in the city.

"Do you really believe that this property dispute is what caused Hamas to launch these large-scale attacks on the people of Israel?" Erdan said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday defended Israel's attack on Gaza tower housing Al-Jazeera and The Associated Press offices. He called the attack "perfectly legitimate attack'.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday defended Israel's attack on Gaza tower housing Al-Jazeera and The Associated Press offices. He called the attack "perfectly legitimate attack'. His comments are sure to attract criticism for Israel which is already facing global heat. "An intelligence office for the Palestinian terrorist organization (was) housed in that building that plots and organizes the terror attacks against Israeli civilians," Netanyahu told CBS News. "So it is a perfectly legitimate target. I can tell you that we took every precaution to make sure that there were no civilian injuries, in fact, no deaths." × On Saturday (May 15), an Israeli air attack flattened the building in Gaza that housed the media offices. The attack sent alarm bells ringing across world that is already voicing concern about the escalating Israel-Palestine violence. The attack on media houses elicited a response even from the US, a strong ally of Israel. The US on Saturday asked Israel to protect the journalists. Also Read | Nearly 3,000 rockets fired from Gaza towards Israel, army claims On Sunday, several strong statements came from the Israeli camp. Israel army chief said that Hamas had 'misjudged' Israel's strength. "Hamas misjudged the strength of our response," said Aviv Kochavi, the army's chief of general staff, saying Gaza had since been enduring an aerial bombardment of unprecedented "intensity". 'Premeditated violence', says Israel at UN Israel alleged that violence by Hamas was 'premeditated'. "It was completely premeditated by Hamas in order to gain political power," said Israel's ambassador to the world body, Gilad Erdan. He was speaking during a session called by United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on the crisis. Hamas said its rocket fire into Israel was in response to Israeli forces' entry into the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem, amid high tensions over moves to evict Palestinian families in the city. "Do you really believe that this property dispute is what caused Hamas to launch these large-scale attacks on the people of Israel?" Erdan said. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel PM Netanyahu defends media house attack, says building was 'legitimate target'

US President Joe Biden on Saturday (local time) held telephonic conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reaffirmed his strong support for Israel`s right to defend itself against rocket attacks from Hamas and other terrorist groups.

Biden noted in his conversation with Netanyahu that "this current period of conflict has tragically claimed the lives of Israeli and Palestinian civilians, including children," according to a readout of the call released by the White House.

"The President reaffirmed his strong support for Israel`s right to defend itself against rocket attacks from Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza. He condemned these indiscriminate attacks against towns and cities across Israel," the White House said in a statement.

"The President updated the Prime Minister on high-level US engagement with regional partners on this issue and discussed ongoing diplomatic efforts",&nbsp;it added.He raised concerns about the safety and security of journalists and reinforced the need to ensure their protection.

The President shared his grave concern about the intercommunal violence across Israel.Biden welcomed the statements by the Prime Minister and other leaders opposing such hateful acts and encouraged continued steps to hold violent extremists accountable and to establish calm.Both the leaders discussed the current tensions in Jerusalem and expressed their shared desire for Jerusalem to be a place of peaceful coexistence for people of all faiths and backgrounds, according to a readout of the call released by the White House.

"The President voiced his concern about violent confrontations in the West Bank. He expressed his support for steps to enable the Palestinian people to enjoy the dignity, security, freedom, and economic opportunity that they deserve and affirmed his support for a two-state solution. The leaders agreed to continue the close consultation between their teams and to remain in touch in the days ahead,"it added.

Biden also spoke to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and discussed the violence in Gaza, in which he called for Hamas, the authority`s rival, to stop firing rockets into Israel.It was the first phone call between the two leaders since Biden assumed office.

President Biden "stressed the need for Hamas to cease firing rockets into Israel", and the two men "expressed their shared concern that innocent civilians, including children, have tragically lost their lives amidst the ongoing violence," the White House said.

The White House says Biden "expressed his support for steps to enable the Palestinian people to enjoy the dignity, security, freedom, and economic opportunity that they deserve" and highlighted the recent US decision to resume assistance to the Palestinian people, including economic and humanitarian assistance to benefit Palestinians in the West bank and Gaza.

Israeli warplanes on Saturday destroyed a building in Gaza City with offices of various media groups, including Al Jazeera and the American Associated Press.

Al-Jala Tower is fourth multi-storey building targeted by Israeli warplanes since Monday. At least 139 people, including 39 children and 22 women, have been killed and 950 more injured in the Israeli attacks on Gaza. The conflict between Israel-Palestine escalated after Israeli forces raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem amid eviction protests, which left scores of Palestinians and police officers wounded.

US President Joe Biden on Saturday (local time) held telephonic conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reaffirmed his strong support for Israel`s right to defend itself against rocket attacks from Hamas and other terrorist groups.

US President Joe Biden on Saturday (local time) held telephonic conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reaffirmed his strong support for Israel`s right to defend itself against rocket attacks from Hamas and other terrorist groups. Biden noted in his conversation with Netanyahu that "this current period of conflict has tragically claimed the lives of Israeli and Palestinian civilians, including children," according to a readout of the call released by the White House. "The President reaffirmed his strong support for Israel`s right to defend itself against rocket attacks from Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza. He condemned these indiscriminate attacks against towns and cities across Israel," the White House said in a statement. "The President updated the Prime Minister on high-level US engagement with regional partners on this issue and discussed ongoing diplomatic efforts", it added.He raised concerns about the safety and security of journalists and reinforced the need to ensure their protection. The President shared his grave concern about the intercommunal violence across Israel.Biden welcomed the statements by the Prime Minister and other leaders opposing such hateful acts and encouraged continued steps to hold violent extremists accountable and to establish calm.Both the leaders discussed the current tensions in Jerusalem and expressed their shared desire for Jerusalem to be a place of peaceful coexistence for people of all faiths and backgrounds, according to a readout of the call released by the White House. "The President voiced his concern about violent confrontations in the West Bank. He expressed his support for steps to enable the Palestinian people to enjoy the dignity, security, freedom, and economic opportunity that they deserve and affirmed his support for a two-state solution. The leaders agreed to continue the close consultation between their teams and to remain in touch in the days ahead,"it added. Biden also spoke to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and discussed the violence in Gaza, in which he called for Hamas, the authority`s rival, to stop firing rockets into Israel.It was the first phone call between the two leaders since Biden assumed office. President Biden "stressed the need for Hamas to cease firing rockets into Israel", and the two men "expressed their shared concern that innocent civilians, including children, have tragically lost their lives amidst the ongoing violence," the White House said. The White House says Biden "expressed his support for steps to enable the Palestinian people to enjoy the dignity, security, freedom, and economic opportunity that they deserve" and highlighted the recent US decision to resume assistance to the Palestinian people, including economic and humanitarian assistance to benefit Palestinians in the West bank and Gaza. Israeli warplanes on Saturday destroyed a building in Gaza City with offices of various media groups, including Al Jazeera and the American Associated Press. Al-Jala Tower is fourth multi-storey building targeted by Israeli warplanes since Monday. At least 139 people, including 39 children and 22 women, have been killed and 950 more injured in the Israeli attacks on Gaza. The conflict between Israel-Palestine escalated after Israeli forces raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem amid eviction protests, which left scores of Palestinians and police officers wounded.

Biden calls Netanyahu, reaffirms US support for Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas, other terror groups

Israel "firmly rejects" pressure not to build in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin&nbsp;Netanyahu&nbsp;said on Sunday following days of unrest and spreading international condemnation of planned evictions of Palestinians from homes in the city claimed by Jewish settlers.

Tensions over Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in East Jerusalem have stoked daily confrontations. Washington said Saturday it was "deeply concerned" and wanted "authorities to approach the residents ... with compassion and respect".

East Jerusalem is among territories that Palestinians seek for a future state. US-sponsored statehood negotiations with Israel stalled in 2014. Israel deems of all Jerusalem its capital - a status not recognised abroad.

"We firmly reject the pressure not to build in Jerusalem. To my regret, this pressure has been increasing of late,"&nbsp;Netanyahu&nbsp;said during a televised address ahead of national commemorations of the Israeli capture of East Jerusalem in a 1967 war.

"I say also to the best of our friends: Jerusalem is Israel's capital and just as every nation builds in its capital and builds up its capital, we also have the right to build in Jerusalem and to build up Jerusalem. That is what we have done and that is what we will continue to do,"&nbsp;Netanyahu&nbsp;said.

East Jerusalem tensions have spilled over into clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians around Al-Aqsa, Islam's third-holiest mosque, at the height of the Ramadan fast month.

On Saturday night, Islam's holy night of Laylat al-Qadr, Palestinian youth threw stones, lit fires and tore down police barricades in the streets leading to the walled Old City gates as officers on horseback and in riot gear used stun grenades and water cannons to repel them.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkeys-erdogan-calls-israel-terror-state-over-palestinian-clashes-at-al-aqsa-383800">Turkey's Erdogan calls Israel 'terror state' over Palestinian clashes at Al-Aqsa&nbsp;</a>

Netanyahu&nbsp;said Israel allows freedom of worship but "we will not allow any extremist element to disturb the peace in Jerusalem ... We will not allow violent unrest."

Pope Francis called for an end to violence in Jerusalem, saying he was following events there with concern and inviting parties to seek solutions in order to respect the multicultural identity of the Holy City.

"Violence breeds violence, stop clashes," the pope told pilgrims who gathered in St. Peter's Square in Rome on Sunday.

Israel "firmly rejects" pressure not to build in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday following days of unrest and spreading international condemnation of planned evictions of Palestinians from homes in the city claimed by Jewish settlers.

Israel "firmly rejects" pressure not to build in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday following days of unrest and spreading international condemnation of planned evictions of Palestinians from homes in the city claimed by Jewish settlers. Tensions over Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in East Jerusalem have stoked daily confrontations. Washington said Saturday it was "deeply concerned" and wanted "authorities to approach the residents ... with compassion and respect". East Jerusalem is among territories that Palestinians seek for a future state. US-sponsored statehood negotiations with Israel stalled in 2014. Israel deems of all Jerusalem its capital - a status not recognised abroad. "We firmly reject the pressure not to build in Jerusalem. To my regret, this pressure has been increasing of late," Netanyahu said during a televised address ahead of national commemorations of the Israeli capture of East Jerusalem in a 1967 war. "I say also to the best of our friends: Jerusalem is Israel's capital and just as every nation builds in its capital and builds up its capital, we also have the right to build in Jerusalem and to build up Jerusalem. That is what we have done and that is what we will continue to do," Netanyahu said. East Jerusalem tensions have spilled over into clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians around Al-Aqsa, Islam's third-holiest mosque, at the height of the Ramadan fast month. On Saturday night, Islam's holy night of Laylat al-Qadr, Palestinian youth threw stones, lit fires and tore down police barricades in the streets leading to the walled Old City gates as officers on horseback and in riot gear used stun grenades and water cannons to repel them. Also read | Turkey's Erdogan calls Israel 'terror state' over Palestinian clashes at Al-Aqsa Netanyahu said Israel allows freedom of worship but "we will not allow any extremist element to disturb the peace in Jerusalem ... We will not allow violent unrest." Pope Francis called for an end to violence in Jerusalem, saying he was following events there with concern and inviting parties to seek solutions in order to respect the multicultural identity of the Holy City. "Violence breeds violence, stop clashes," the pope told pilgrims who gathered in St. Peter's Square in Rome on Sunday.

Netanyahu says Israel firm on Jerusalem as global concern mounts

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has failed to meet a midnight deadline to put together a new governing coalition, raising the possibility that his Likud party could be pushed into the opposition for the first time in 12 years.&nbsp;

The deadline closed a four-week window granted to Netanyahu by Israel's figurehead president.&nbsp;

The matter now bounces back to President Reuven Rivlin, who announced just after midnight that he would contact on Wednesday the 13 parties with seats in parliament to discuss the continuation of the process of forming a government.&nbsp;

Rivlin is expected in the coming days to give one of Netanyahu's opponents a chance to form an alternative coalition government.&nbsp;

He also could ask the parliament to select one of its own members as prime minister. If all else fails, the country would be forced into another election this fall, the fifth in just over two years.&nbsp;

The turmoil does not mean that Netanyahu will immediately be forced out as prime minister. But he now faces a serious threat to his lengthy rule.&nbsp;

His opponents, despite deep ideological differences, already have been holding informal talks in recent weeks in hopes of forging a power-sharing agreement.&nbsp;

Netanyahu had struggled to secure a parliamentary majority since March 23, when elections ended in deadlock for the fourth consecutive time in the past two years.&nbsp;

Despite repeated meetings with many of his rivals and unprecedented outreach to the leader of a small Islamist Arab party, Netanyahu was unable to close a deal.&nbsp;

Rivlin gave Netanyahu the first chance to form a coalition after 52 members of parliament endorsed him as prime minister last month. That was short of a majority, but the highest number for any party leader.&nbsp;

Opposition leader Yair Lapid, who received the backing of 45 lawmakers, now seems to be the most likely candidate to get a chance to form a government.&nbsp;

Naftali Bennett, head of the small religious, nationalist Yamina party, is also a possibility. Bennett, a former Netanyahu ally turned rival, controls just seven seats in parliament, but he has emerged as a kingmaker of sorts and appears to carry the votes that Lapid would need to secure a parliamentary majority.&nbsp;

Lapid already has said he is ready to share the prime minister's job with Bennett, with Bennett serving first in a rotation. So far, they have not reached any firm agreements.&nbsp;

In a brief statement, Netanyahu's Likud party blamed Bennett for the prime minister's failure. &nbsp;

"Because of Bennett's refusal to commit to a right-wing government, something that would have certainly led to the formation of a government along with other members of Knesset, Prime Minister Netanyahu returned the mandate to the president,” the statement said.&nbsp;

Defence Minister Benny Gantz, leader of the centrist Blue and White party, called on Netanyahu's opponents to line up behind Lapid.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has failed to meet a midnight deadline to put together a new governing coalition, raising the possibility that his Likud party could be pushed into the opposition for the first time in 12 years.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has failed to meet a midnight deadline to put together a new governing coalition, raising the possibility that his Likud party could be pushed into the opposition for the first time in 12 years. The deadline closed a four-week window granted to Netanyahu by Israel's figurehead president. The matter now bounces back to President Reuven Rivlin, who announced just after midnight that he would contact on Wednesday the 13 parties with seats in parliament to discuss the continuation of the process of forming a government. Rivlin is expected in the coming days to give one of Netanyahu's opponents a chance to form an alternative coalition government. He also could ask the parliament to select one of its own members as prime minister. If all else fails, the country would be forced into another election this fall, the fifth in just over two years. The turmoil does not mean that Netanyahu will immediately be forced out as prime minister. But he now faces a serious threat to his lengthy rule. His opponents, despite deep ideological differences, already have been holding informal talks in recent weeks in hopes of forging a power-sharing agreement. Netanyahu had struggled to secure a parliamentary majority since March 23, when elections ended in deadlock for the fourth consecutive time in the past two years. Despite repeated meetings with many of his rivals and unprecedented outreach to the leader of a small Islamist Arab party, Netanyahu was unable to close a deal. Rivlin gave Netanyahu the first chance to form a coalition after 52 members of parliament endorsed him as prime minister last month. That was short of a majority, but the highest number for any party leader. Opposition leader Yair Lapid, who received the backing of 45 lawmakers, now seems to be the most likely candidate to get a chance to form a government. Naftali Bennett, head of the small religious, nationalist Yamina party, is also a possibility. Bennett, a former Netanyahu ally turned rival, controls just seven seats in parliament, but he has emerged as a kingmaker of sorts and appears to carry the votes that Lapid would need to secure a parliamentary majority. Lapid already has said he is ready to share the prime minister's job with Bennett, with Bennett serving first in a rotation. So far, they have not reached any firm agreements. In a brief statement, Netanyahu's Likud party blamed Bennett for the prime minister's failure. "Because of Bennett's refusal to commit to a right-wing government, something that would have certainly led to the formation of a government along with other members of Knesset, Prime Minister Netanyahu returned the mandate to the president,” the statement said. Defence Minister Benny Gantz, leader of the centrist Blue and White party, called on Netanyahu's opponents to line up behind Lapid. (With inputs from agencies)

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu misses deadline to form govt, political future in question 

netanyahu

Netanyahu, News on Netanyahu, stories on Netanyahu, articles on Netanyahu, Netanyahu stories at Wion, Netanyahu news, Netanyahu latest news