"We don't understand what's going on with him," a senior member of the emerging coalition tells Israel Hayom after incoming prime minister seeks to swear in government without written promise to reform judiciary.
Washington also says it will "closely monitor the government formation process" as Netanyahu works on forming a coalition that will likely include religious and far-Right parties.
Asserting that he and liberals "agree on 90% of issues", the right-wing lawmaker said he would not seek to impose religious law nor curb freedom of dissent, "and even if I'm not keen on the (gay pride) parade, I will ensure utmost protection for the men and women marching".
Lapid, at memorial event for Yitzhak Rabin, appeared to take aim at Religious Zionist Party, whose leaders have made repeated anti-Arab, anti-LGBTQ comments.
The new government will have no grace period. From an American point of view, Israel is the US’ss most important ally in the Middle East and its most worthwhile investment.
This time, the Likud leader's coalition is without Livni, Lapid, Kahlon or Gantz to stop him • The only problem is most likely to come from his own political backyard
After his right-religious bloc's decisive victory in the national elections, the Likud Party leader must navigate the process of handing out coveted ministerial positions.
While some officials suggest the delay stems from Biden's preoccupation with the upcoming mid-term elections, others say it stems from Netanyahu's own delay in congratulating the US president in 2020 when he won against Trump.
Benjamin Netanyahu is bound to find a sympathetic ear in Washington, especially that US policy vis-à-vis Iran and the Palestinians has failed.
It is tempting to blame all the possible dangers of the emerging coalition on Itamar Ben-Gvir, but let's remember that he will not be the one in charge. Netanyahu will.