US chipmaker Intel Corp will spend $25 billion on a new factory in Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday, calling it the largest-ever international investment in the country. The factory in Kiryat Gat is due to open in 2027, to operate through 2035 at least, and to employ thousands of people, Israel's Finance Ministry said. Under the deal Intel will pay a 7.5% tax rate, up from the current 5%, the ministry added.

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During its almost five decades of operations in Israel, Intel has grown to become the country's largest privately held employer and exporter and a leader of the local electronics and information industry, according to the company's website. In 2017, Intel bought Israel-based Mobileye Global Inc, which develops and deploys advanced driver-assistance systems, for $15 billion. Intel took Mobileye public last year.

Announcing the deal in televised remarks to his cabinet, Netanyahu called it "a tremendous achievement for the Israeli economy - 90 billion shekels ($25 billion) - the largest investment ever by an international company in Israel". In a statement, Intel said its Israel operations had "played a crucial role" in the company's global success.

"Our intention to expand manufacturing capacity in Israel is driven by our commitment to meeting future manufacturing needs ... and we appreciate the continued support of the Israeli government," it said.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, said they were "deeply saddened" to learn about the death of Pat Robertson. As the premier tweeted: "He was a great friend of Israel, second to none."

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Netanyahu added that he fondly remembers many meetings with Robertson, who died on June 8 at the age of 93, and "his warmth and steadfast friendship which stood the test of time and circumstance."

"Over the decades, he led millions of his followers in supporting the Jewish state," he wrote.

Nikki Haley, a Republican presidential candidate, tweeted that "Pat Robertson touched so many lives and changed so many hearts. He stood for America—and more importantly, for truth and faith. He did the Lord's work and we will always remember his witness."

Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted that Robertson was "a giant of the faith," and Franklin Graham, the son of American evangelist Billy Graham, wrote that Robertson "moved to a new address in Heaven." Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia wrote that Robertson "was an inspiring Virginian and a passionate servant of the Lord, whose lifelong example leaves a legacy matched by very few."

David Friedman, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel, tweeted that Robertson was "a brilliant orator and faith leader and an extraordinary friend of Israel and the Jewish People." And AIPAC called Robertson "a great friend of Israel and a pioneer in the modern Christian Zionist movement."

The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews also lauded the late religious leader, "whose decades of faithful support have helped us carry out our holy work, of helping God's people, and of building bridges of faith and understanding between Christians and Jews."

Writing on the website of the Christian Broadcasting Network, CBN—of which he is president and CEO, and which his father founded—Gordon Robertson called his father "an extraordinary man by any standard."

"He was an evangelist, a humanitarian, an entrepreneur, an educator, an author, a statesman, a television personality, a man of global influence and tremendous vision," he wrote. "Perhaps most important though, he was a dearly loved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend."

One of the most visible Christian conservative faces

Marion Gordon "Pat" Robertson was born in Virginia. His father, Absalom Willis Robertson, served in both the U.S. Senate and the House from the early 1930s until the late 1960s. Pat earned a law degree at Yale University but opted not to become a lawyer.

Instead, Robertson started CBN in 1960. In 1966, he hosted "The 700 Club," the channel's flagship program, which he continued to helm for nearly 60 years. He also founded the Christian Coalition, Regent University, and the American Center for Law and Justice, among other organizations.

With the late Rev. Jerry Falwell Sr., Robertson was one of the most visible faces of the Christian conservative movement, which began to emerge in the 1970s and came into prominence following its significant support of the election of Ronald Reagan as president.

Building on his visible role in media and politics, Robertson launched a bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 1988, helping to set a tone, strategy, and style for other faith-based politicians who emerged in the next 35 years. He lost the nomination to then-Vice President George H. W. Bush.

Accusations of antisemitism over the years

Over the years, Robertson made many statements that have provoked controversy, many centered on Jews and Judaism.

"I first learned of Pat Robertson when he said, on Rosh Hashanah, that God doesn't hear the prayers of Jews," Shayna Weiss, associate director of Brandeis University's Schusterman Center for Israel Studies, tweeted. "I was about 10 years old, and I heard my parents talking about it at synagogue after it was front-page news. It is one of my earliest memories of antisemitism and hate."

In 1991, Robertson published The New World Order, which became a New York Times bestseller but drew accusations of antisemitism.

In a 2014 interview with Rabbi Daniel Lapin, Robertson said that Jews were "polishing diamonds, not fixing cars." (Lapin agreed with Robertson that Jews are likelier to work in finance than in car repair or lawn mowing.)

In response to a 1994 report from the Anti-Defamation League that he said made a broad case for Robertson being antisemitic, Norman Podhoretz penned a Commentary essay titled "In the Matter of Pat Robertson."

The conclusion is "inescapable that Robertson, whether knowingly or unknowingly, has subscribed to and purveyed ideas that have an old and well-established antisemitic pedigree," Podhoretz wrote. "Yet everyone, even Robertson's most dogged prosecutors, recognizes that there is more to the story than that. For if Robertson is an antisemite, he is a most peculiar one."

Having thoroughly documented the positive things that Robertson said and did for Jews and Israel, and examining the statements that purvey antisemitism, Podhoretz turned to the rabbinic concept of a contaminant becoming "neutralized" at a 1-to-60 ratio, Batel b'shishim. "Robertson can and should be absolved on that basis of the charge of antisemitism," he wrote.

In response to the Commentary article, Abraham Foxman, then national director of the ADL, wrote: "The ADL made no such case. We do not believe Robertson to be antisemitic and did not argue that he is."

"One can air concerns about troubling statements and views without accusing their source of being an antisemite," he added. "Concerning Pat Robertson, that is precisely what the ADL's Religious Right report did—no more, no less."

 Reprinted with permission from JNS.org.

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The US House speaker addressed Israel's parliament on Monday, a rare honor awarded to the highest-ranking Republican in US politics at a time of fraught relations between Israel's government and Democratic President Joe Biden.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu portrayed the speech as a nod to bipartisan US support for Israel as it marks 75 years since its independence. Critics say the platform given to McCarthy – he's only the second House speaker to address the Knesset, after Newt Gingrich in 1998 – is a pointed jab at Biden. The Republican leader addressed the Israeli parliament a day after telling Israel Hayom he plans to invite Netanyahu to speak before a joint meeting of Congress if Joe Biden doesn't extend an invitation for a White House visit "soon."

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McCarthy spoke to the Knesset, greeted by frequent applause and a standing ovation, as lawmakers returned from a month-long recess. They are expected to resume the fight over a contentious plan, promoted by the most right-wing government in Israel's history, to overhaul the judiciary.

Video: Reuters / McCarthy in the Knesset

The plan has split Israelis and drawn a rare public rebuke from Biden. Amid the tensions, Biden has so far denied Netanyahu a typically customary invitation to the White House after his election win late last year. In a challenge to Biden, McCarthy said Monday he expects the White House "to invite the prime minister over for a meeting, especially with the 75th anniversary" of Israel's independence. He said he would invite Netanyahu to speak to Congress if Biden doesn't.

McCarthy's visit to Israel was another sign of the gradual transformation of Israel from a bipartisan matter into a wedge issue in US politics. In parallel, some younger progressive Democrats have become increasingly critical of Israeli policies, including the treatment of Palestinians.

McCarthy addressed the Knesset at a time when both Republicans and Democrats are steeling for presidential nomination races. Republicans are seeking to present themselves to voters, especially to evangelical Christians, as the best ally to Israel. McCarthy and Netanyahu met face to face ahead of the Knesset address and the Republican lavished praise on the Israeli leader, saying his "leadership, character and courage" inspire Americans.

The Californian said the US "cherishes its unbreakable bond" with Israel, pledged continued funding for security assistance, and said the countries must "remain resolute in our commitment that Iran will never acquire a nuclear weapon." In Washington, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby sidestepped questions about McCarthy's suggestion that he could invite Netanyahu to speak to Congress separate of a White House visit. Kirby said that he expected Netanyahu would visit the White House at some point but said no visit was planned at the moment.

"I think we've seen Speaker McCarthy's comments and we'll let him speak to those comments and whatever his intentions are," Kirby said. "What I can speak to is the longstanding unwavering support President Biden has already provided to the people in Israel over many, many decades of public service."

Before the parliament recess, Netanyahu had paused judicial overhaul plans under intense pressure, which has included large weekly protests, a labor strike, and threats by military reservists to stop showing up for duty. Biden waded into the criticism, saying Netanyahu "cannot continue down this road."

While Netanyahu and Biden have known each other for decades, their relationship has soured since Netanyahu returned to office late last year after a brief break as Opposition leader.

The White House snub is another sore point for the embattled leader, whose legal plan has plunged Israel into one of its worst domestic crises, sent his Likud party tanking in public opinion polls, and tarnished the 73-year-old leader's legacy. The month-long parliamentary break has allowed Israelis to take stock of the tensions set off by the legal plan, which had been proceeding at a feverish pace in the previous session and had reached a boiling point after Netanyahu dismissed his dissenting defense minister.

The future of the plan isn't clear. Netanyahu said he was temporarily suspending the drive to change Israel's judicial system to allow the Coalition and the Opposition to come to a negotiated compromise. But the talks don't appear to have produced many agreements and Netanyahu's allies are pushing him to move ahead if the talks fail.

He's also facing pressure from the streets –  tens of thousands of people who support the overhaul filled the area near parliament on Thursday as a show of force in favor of the legal changes. Protests against the overhaul have continued for 17 weeks, including during the parliament recess, with as much intensity. Netanyahu is expected to keep a focus on less divisive issues in the coming weeks, such as passing a budget at a time when Israel's economy is on shaky ground and inflation is rising.

But he will also face hurdles. He is up against a court-ordered deadline in July, which requires the government to legislate a military draft law about the near-blanket exemptions enjoyed by members of Israel's ultra-Orthodox community. Instead of serving in the country's compulsory military, like the majority of secular Jews, ultra-Orthodox men are allowed to study religious texts. Experts say this system keeps the growing community cloistered and does not encourage its integration into the workforce, something seen as necessary to safeguard the future of Israel's economy.

Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, and his allies say the overhaul is necessary to rein in an interventionist legal system that has taken power away from elected politicians. They want to weaken the Supreme Court, have the government control who becomes a judge, and reduce judicial oversight on legislation.

Critics say the changes will upend Israel's fragile system of checks and balances and imperil the country's democratic foundations.

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Israel on Tuesday evening rose from a somber Memorial Day to celebratory joy, ushering in its 75th Independence Day. Events were due to begin at 7: 45 p.m. (local time) with a ceremony on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem that brought Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism to a close.

Video: Amir Ettinger

The country then immediately segued into its birthday celebration with Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana delivering the keynote address and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also sent a video message.

Leo Dee, who lost his daughters Maia and Rina as well his wife Lucy in the horrific shooting by a terrorist several weeks ago, was tapped to recite the Yizkor ("remember") prayer before the flag was once again raised to full-staff and the celebratory performances and speeches began.

Ohana's speech gave way to the torch-lighting ceremony, which traditionally kicks off Independence Day. This year, in light of the ongoing political turbulence due to the contested judicial reforms, the ceremony and the preceding remembrance events were supposed to provide a brief respite in the protests as both sides were to unite in honor of the special occasions. However, some minor heckling of cabinet ministers was noted during the day.  The protest movement also said it would fuse some of the celebrations with the protest movement in Tel Aviv's city center, where the biggest demonstrations have been taking place over the past several weeks. Celebrations will feature alongside speeaches and performances on democracy.

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Twelve men and women who made extraordinary contributions to the development of Israeli society were recognized this year in the state ceremony: Avigdor Kahalani, a former minister, MK and a retired brigadier general in the IDF; Lt. Col. D., the commander of the special forces unit Duvdevan; David Blatt, the famed basketball coah; Shalom Asayag, a comedian, actor and filmmaker; Nina Avidar Weiner, founding president of the Israel Scholarship Education Foundation; Vered Ben-Sadon, founder of the Tura winery in Judea and Samaria; Sivan Ya'ari, head of Innovation Africa; Dr. Avraham Rivkind, head of the general surgery unit at Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital along with Dr. Hatam Hussein, specialist in internal medicine and infectious diseases who received her training at Rambam Medical College; Yehudit Negosa, founder and head of the Chance for Change pre-army preparatory academy; Reut Amichai, a 17-year-old volunteer with the Hashomer Hachadash youth group; Eliyahu Salah, who moved to Israel from Kurdistan, fought in the IDF and later founded the northern border community of Shtula; philanthropist and businessman Sylvan Adams, who has supported many projects in Israel in education and medicine; and Ofek Rishon, who was bullied from first to sixth grade and went on to establish the "Bully Patrol" project that helps children who are subject to bullying. 

The traditional handover of the state and military flags was to follow, during which a military unit is tasked with safeguarding the State of Israel and the Israel Defense Forces for the coming year. The unit that receives the flags of the unit that delivers them arrange opposite each other and once the flags are unfolded, rearranged, and handed over, an elaborate flags show commences.

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Israel came to a halt for two minutes on Tuesday as the country continued remembering its fallen. The official state ceremony on Mount Herzl, where the national military cemetery is located, began shortly after the siren at 11 a.m., a day after the events kicked off at the Western Wall with speeches by President Isaac Herzog and Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi.

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This year, amid the political upheaval surrounding the contested judicial reforms, there were concerns that the events would also become marred in controversy. Protesters heckled cabinet ministers during the memorial events across the country, including in Beersheba when National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir spoke. But on Mount Herzl, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke, no disturbances were noted.

Netanyahu said that on this day, "we must remember that we are all brothers," and reiterated his call for unity. He spoke at length about this fallen brother, Yoni Netanyahu, who was killed while leading the raid at Entebbe Airport in 1976 to rescue dozens of Israeli hostages held there by Palestinian and German terrorists.

Speaking to the bereaved families, he said, "I am part of the bereavement family; I know your sadness and sorrow; the pride and the loss. I know what it feels like to want to make the memory of our loved ones live on for sacrificing their lives for our nation and our country."

He recalled a story that he heard about one of the fallen: Major Bar Falah. Upon visiting a site in Poland where Jewish babies were burned en masse during the Holocaust, he vowed, "The Jewish people will not suffer like this ever again, not so long as the IDF is ready, not so long as I am here." Netanyahu noted that "Bar is no longer here, he was killed in a clash with terrorists, but his spirit lives on."

Netanyahu said that the initiative to commemorate Falah, called "My Hero Brother" celebrates patriotism and service to the country among young Israelis.

"More than ever, this year we must remember that we are brothers on the day we remember our national heroes: Jews, Druze, Muslims, Bedouin, Christians, Circassians. We are brothers in arms; brothers in blood."

Memorial events were set to draw to a close toward the evening when a symbolic transition to Independence Day will begin with the raising of the flag back to full-staff on Mount Herzl ahead of the Torch-Lighting Ceremony, with many dignitaries in attendance.

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Something really sad is going on when it comes to the Israeli public's relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. For the past three months, the public has been consumed by the whirlwind of the judicial reform protests along with social strife that we have never seen before, but Netanyahu's presence – the leader, the responsible adult, and someone steady at the wheel –  is almost non-existent. 

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This cannot be simply explained away by the fact that he is legally barred from dealing with the reform as the attorney general ruled this would be a conflict of interest (due to his ongoing trial). The no-showing of Netanyahu is much deeper than that. In fact, in the past, he has proved that when he wants to overcome legal obstacles, he knows how to find his way to the media. But for whatever reason, throughout this crisis, his public appearances have been few and far between, and he has not spoken to main media outlets. He is almost unseen and unheard. This deafening silence sends the wrong message to the public: incompetence or even worse – lack of leadership. 

Where is the Netanyahu who threw his weight everywhere he went during the first months of the coronavirus pandemic; where is the Netanyahu who dominates the public limelight with vigor and leadership on Iran? What we have seen so far is just a shadow of his former self. 

Netanyahu has so far shown anything but all this during the judicial reform crisis, refusing to go to Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Simcha Rothman, thump on the table, and make it clear in no uncertain terms that it's time to strike a compromise (perhaps this is because he fears this will lead to his parliamentary coalition unraveling). He has even failed to strong arm Levin into pausing legislation for a week, as he has suggested in the past, possibly because he doesn't want the minister to resign. 

But the big challenge he has yet to muster enough strength is with the attorney general, whose insistence that he has no legal way of dealing with this matter only reinforces the perception that legal advisors wield too much power. Why hasn't he stormed into her office and told her that although her opinions should be taken into account, this is an exception because there are some moments in a nation's history where national responsibility trumps potential conflict of interest and require him to take the reins; that he must lead rather than be led. 

Netanyahu has been involved behind the scenes in pushing for a compromise, fearing the High Court and the attorney general, rather than just declaring for everyone to see, "I won't have it anymore; the situation is intolerable." 

Over the course of his career, Netanyahu has thrown out the political playbook more than once, even when he didn't have to. But for some reason, precisely at the moment when the circumstances warrant a departure from protocol, he has refused to do so. Why? 

Netanyahu has justifiably fought against the effort to declare him incapacitated and have him temporarily step down but for all intents and purposes, his conduct has been that of someone who is already been all but put in incapacitation, precisely when the public needs leadership and involvement – and most importantly, visible presence – on the part of the prime minister. 

Netanyahu should be the one to handle the messaging on the reform, not Rothman or Levin. He should determine its pace, he should decide whether a compromise is in order and what it should look like. Netanyahu, not Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, should meet with IDF reservists to discuss their threat of refusing orders and should show cabinet members their proper place by preventing them from making inflammatory statements. But above all, he must communicate with the public, which wants to know where the prime minister has gone. 

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered New Hope leader Gideon Sa'ar and Yamina party chief Naftali Bennett a tripartite rotation deal for the premiership in an effort to prevent the formation of a "pro-change government.

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Senior Yamina officials said they "accept Netanyahu's offer. The ball is in Sa'ar's court. He has the power to prevent a left-wing government." The party reportedly agreed to cede Bennett's proposed role as a prime minister, agreeing instead to see the Yamina leader serve as defense minister.

Sa'ar, however, declined the offer, taking to Twitter to say: "Our position and our commitment remain the same: replacing Netanyahu's rule. We will continue to act accordingly. A warm recommendation for the coming days: Ignore the spin."

In a letter to Sa'ar and Bennett, Sunday, the heads of right-wing factions asked the New Hope and Yamina leaders to maintain the character and security of the State of Israel and prevent the establishment of a left-wing government they say will put the country at risk.

The party heads proposed a right-wing government be established in which Sa'ar serves first in a rotation agreement, for a period of 15 months, followed by Netanyahu, who would serve for two years' time. Bennett would then serve as prime minister for the remainder of the government term. Party heads said they would sign a document asking President Reuven Rivlin to afford Sa'ar the opportunity to form the next government. In addition, the parity government would be called off, and a mutually agreed upon justice minister would be appointed, they said.

Netanyahu said: "We are at a fateful time for the security, character, and future of the State of Israel. At such a fateful time, we put aside any personal considerations and take far-reaching, even unprecedented steps. That's what the heads of the right-wing factions and myself have now done. We signed a far-reaching proposal to Gideon Sa'ar and Naftali Bennett, a proposal that will prevent the establishment of a dangerous left-wing government and ensures the establishment of a strong and stable right-wing government for years to come that looks out for all Israeli citizens. All the right-wing faction heads and I invite Gideon Sa'ar and Naftali Bennett – come now, immediately, to a meeting that allows for the establishment of a right-wing government for the good of the State of Israel."

Yamina member Amichai Chikli responded to Sa'ar's refusal, tweeting: "What breakthrough vision, it's sad to see personal rivalry and your ego are overcoming any other consideration, a member of the Right you are not."

Likud MK Miki Zohar tweeted: "Sa'ar and Bennett robbed the public. We will never forget this."

In an interview with Army Radio, Meretz chairwoman Tamar Zandberg said, "Bennett and Sa'ar are the last people who should buy into such an offer. We expected these kinds of offers to arrive at this time. We need to close our ears, shut our eyes, and go toward a 'pro-change' government."

Yamina leader Naftali Bennett is set to convene his party at 2 p.m., Sunday, to update them on any developments. Barring any last-minute changes, Bennett is set to announce he will establish a coalition government with Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid.

Sources familiar with the Issue said over the weekend that Bennett was expected to hold a press conference after the meeting. Over the next two days, Lapid is expected to inform President Reuven Rivlin he has succeeded in forming a government. In the meantime, coalition agreements will be signed with Blue and White, New Hope, and Yamina.

As part of a rotation deal with Lapid, Bennett is expected to serve as the prime minister first, with Lapid serving as prime minister-designate and foreign minister. MK Ayelet Shaked will serve as interior minister. Labor leader Meirav Michaeli will serve as transportation minister and will serve on the Knesset's Judicial Selection Committee.

As part of a rotation deal with Lapid, Bennett is expected to serve as the prime minister first, with Lapid serving as prime minister-designate and foreign minister. Ayelet Shaked will serve as interior minister, and Labor's Meirav Michaeli will serve as transportation minister, while her fellow party member Omer Bar-Lev will head the public security ministry.

Blue and White party head Benny Gantz is poised to serve as defense minister, while Yisrael Beytenu chief Avigdor Lieberman will serve as finance minister. New Hope leader Gideon Sa'ar is expected to serve as justice minister. Meretz party head Nitzan Horowitz will be mad health minister, Zandberg will serve as environmental protection minister, and Meretz member Issawi Frej will serve as regional cooperation minister. Yesh Atid's Karine Elharrar will serve as communication minister.

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New Hope MK Yifat Shasha-Biton will serve as education minister, Yamina's Matan Kahana is set to head the religious affairs ministry, Blue and White MKs Pnina Tamano-Shata and Alon Schuster will continue in their respective roles of aliyah and integration minister and agriculture minister, respectively. Party member Hili Tropper will serve as culture minister.

Yamina officials, however, claim no final decision on the division of portfolios has been made.

One party official told Israel Hayom: "There's no reason to wait any longer. If Netanyahu produces a government, we're with him, but the chance of that happening is scant. We checked again and again, and [New Hope party chief] Gideon Sa'ar has no defectors. His lawmakers got all the offers in the world and refused. [Blue and White party head] Benny Gantz got all the offers in the world and refused. Last week, [Yamina's] Ayelet Shaked spoke with [Religious Zionist Party head Bezalel] Smotrich and asked him to commit to voting for a 59[-member] government if there weren't two defectors, and he refused. There's no longer any chance. It's either elections or a "pro-change" government, and we committed to not joining a "pro-change" government."

Despite the pressure on Yamina officials, no party members appear likely to break. Yamina MK Nir Orbach, an outspoken critic of the move, convened close associates of his, Saturday night, to make a decision as to whether to resign or vote in favor of joining an "anyone but Bibi" government.

Someone with a significant role to play in the establishment of an "anyone but Bibi" government is Ra'am party head Mansour Abbas, who has kept all options on the table in recent months. A senior member of the political system claimed Abbas made the decision to support a Bennett-Lapid government. The source said Abbas was under major pressure from party members due to Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip and the rioting seen across the country in recent weeks. As a result, the source said Abbas could neither support a right-wing government nor allow Ra'am to run in another election that would see his party wiped off the political map.

Nevertheless, a senior party official told Israel Hayom: "As we said from the beginning, we are waiting till the last minute, and in accordance with the state of the Israeli political map. Any side that would have succeeded in establishing a government and complying with our demands – we'll be with them. Ra'am doesn't take part in the boycott issue and doesn't rule anyone out. We remain loyal to our principles."

Angered by reports Yamina was set to join a "pro-change" government, right-wing voters showed up at Bennett's home in Raanana, Saturday night, to protest the move. A counter-protest by supporters of the "pro-change" bloc was also held outside Bennett's home.

In a video posted to Twitter, Friday, Netanyahu charged that Likud and Yamina negotiators had reached a "comprehensive" agreement to form a minority government of 59 parliamentarians out of 120, but Bennett had refused to sign it.

The unusual arrangement, Netanyahu said, was aimed at preventing the prospect of a "leftist government."

"Naftali Bennett is taking a leftward turn," Netanyahu said. "This goes against all of Yamina's stated principles and pledges, against all that is necessary to safeguard the future of our state."

President Reuven Rivlin entrusted Lapid with the mandate to form a government following Netanyahu's failure to do so in the aftermath of Israel's fourth inconclusive election in two years.

i24NEWS contributed to this report.

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday announced plans to reopen a key diplomatic outreach office to the Palestinians and pledged nearly $40 million in new aid – reversing key policies of the Trump administration as he moved to bolster the embattled Palestinian government in the West Bank.

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On his first official visit to the region, Blinken met with Israeli and Palestinian leaders with the immediate aim of shoring up last week's ceasefire that ended 11 days of fighting between Israel and Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip. He vowed to "rally international support" for the effort while also promising to ensure that none of the aid would reach Hamas.

Blinken repeatedly alluded to the underlying issues of the decades-old conflict and expressed empathy for both sides, but he showed little interest in launching another US push for lasting peace. Instead, he expressed hope for creating a "better environment" that might one day yield peace talks.

Despite these modest aims, Blinken made clear that US President Joe Biden would pursue a more even-handed approach to the region than former US President Donald Trump, who sided overwhelmingly with Israel in virtually every area of disagreement with the Palestinians.

"As I told the president, I'm here to underscore the commitment of the United States to rebuilding the relationship with the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people, a relationship built on mutual respect and also a shared conviction that Palestinians and Israelis alike deserve equal measures of security, freedom opportunity, and dignity," he said after a meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank.

In an act with great symbolic meaning, Blinken said the US would reopen its Jerusalem consulate – an office that for years served as the de facto embassy to the Palestinians.

Trump had downgraded its operations and placed them under his ambassador to Israel when he moved the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to the holy city in 2018. The embassy move infuriated Palestinians, who claim east Jerusalem as their capital and led them to sever most ties with the Trump administration.

Blinken did not provide a firm date for the reopening but said that Michael Ratney, a senior US diplomat who has previously served as consul general in Jerusalem, would soon be returning to the region.

Blinken also announced some $38.5 million in additional aid for the Palestinians. In all, the Biden administration has pledged some $360 million to the Palestinians, after the Trump administration cut almost all aid. Tuesday's pledges included $5.5 million in emergency assistance for Gaza.

Blinken promised that any assistance will be kept out of the hands of Hamas, which opposes Israel's right to exist and which Israel and the US consider a terrorist group.

The US is trying to bolster Abbas, who has been sidelined by recent events, in his rivalry with Hamas and on the international stage.

Abbas heads the internationally backed Palestinian Authority, whose forces were driven from Gaza when Hamas seized power there in 2007 after defeating Fatah in elections there. He now administers only parts of the occupied West Bank. Though deeply unpopular at home, he is seen internationally as the representative of the Palestinian people and a key partner in the long-defunct peace process.

The ceasefire that ended the Gaza war on Friday has so far held, but it did not address any of the deeper issues plaguing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, something Blinken acknowledged after meeting Tuesday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"We know that to prevent a return to violence, we have to use the space created to address a larger set of underlying issues and challenges, and that begins with tackling the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza and starting to rebuild," he said.

On Tuesday, the leader of the powerful Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, said Israeli actions at Al-Aqsa could provoke fighting across the Middle East. "Jerusalem means a regional war," said Nasrallah, whose group fought Israel in a monthlong war in 2006.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu is fighting for his political life after a fourth inconclusive election in two years. He faces mounting criticism from Israelis who say he ended the offensive prematurely, without halting rocket attacks or dealing a heavier blow to Hamas.

In his remarks after his meeting with Blinken, Netanyahu hardly mentioned the Palestinians, warning of a "very powerful" response if Hamas breaks the ceasefire.

Netanyahu spoke of "building economic growth" in the West Bank but said there will be no peace until the Palestinians recognize Israel as a "Jewish state." The Palestinians have long objected to that demand, saying it undermines the rights of Israel's own Palestinian minority.

Blinken repeatedly affirmed what he said was Israel's right to defend itself and said the US would assist Israel in replenishing its Iron Dome rocket-interception system.

Yet he also called on leaders of all sides to chart a "better course" in hopes of laying the groundwork for peace talks aimed at establishing an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. The Biden administration, like most of the international community, believes the "two-state solution" is the only way to resolve the conflict.

He said that could start with a successful reconstruction effort in Gaza, which "has the potential to undermine" Hamas. He also urged all sides to refrain from moves that could escalate tensions or reignite violence. He cited the planned evictions in Sheikh Jarrah, Israeli settlement construction, and Palestinian incitement.

Blinken heads to neighboring Egypt and Jordan, which have acted as mediators in the conflict, Wednesday. Egypt succeeded in brokering the Gaza truce after the Biden administration pressed Israel to wind down its offensive.

Biden, meanwhile, is expected to name former senior US State Department official Tom Nides to serve as ambassador to Israel, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Nides is currently the managing director and vice-chairman of the multinational investment bank Morgan Stanley. He previously served as deputy secretary of state for management and resources under Hillary Clinton from 2011 to 2013. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the yet-to-be-announced pick, said Nides has already been formally offered the position.

The president is expected to soon announce the pick, though exact timing remains unclear, according to a second person familiar with the deliberations. The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly, added that Biden had made his choice for the Israel ambassadorship and vetting was underway.

The White House declined to comment on Nides' forthcoming nomination.

Robert Wexler, a former Democratic congressman from Florida, was also receiving serious consideration for the high-profile post, officials said.

Getting an ambassador in place in Israel has become a high priority for the administration following this month's 11-day war between Israel and Hamas, the most significant clashes between Israel and the terrorist group since 2014.

Israelis complained in the weeks following Biden's inauguration in January that he was slow to name his envoy and to reach out to Netanyahu. Some Israeli officials worried that the relative early silence forecast a chillier relationship between the two close allies after Trump's warm embrace.

Biden, who spoke to Netanyahu for the first time about four weeks after his swearing-in, had put off his first call with Netanyahu, in part, because he first wanted to speak with key European allies as he weighed his steps on reviving the Iran nuclear deal hatched during former US President Barack Obama's administration and shelved by the Trump White House.

The official said that even before this month's fighting, the Biden administration's diplomatic efforts with Israel had been complicated by Israel's own chaotic politics in the lead-up to the fourth round of elections there in March.

Nides launched his Washington career in 2006 working for Rep. Tony Coelho, the Democratic majority whip. He also worked for Democratic House Speaker Tom Foley early in his career. Under US President Bill Clinton's administration, he served as chief of staff to US Trade Representative Mickey Kantor. Obama nominated him in 2010 to serve as deputy secretary of state for management and resources.

In addition to his work at Morgan Stanley, Nides has also done stints as a top executive at Fannie Mae, Credit Suisse First Boston, Zurich-based Credit Suisse Group, and the global public relations firm Burson-Marsteller.

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With the ceasefire between Jerusalem and Hamas holding, politicians in Israel refocused their efforts on untangling the political imbroglio, Sunday.

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With just nine days left for Yesh Atid party head Yair Lapid to form the next government,  Likud officials are working to consolidate a majority of 61-Knesset members to back a government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

However, senior Likud officials say previous offers will no longer be on the table, and neither Yamina head Naftali Bennett, New Hope head Gideon Sa'ar, nor Blue and White party head will be offered a rotation deal.

A senior Likud official told Israel Hayom: "The ideas of Naftali Bennett being prime minister first are irrelevant. … It's not practical. The question is whether we will succeed in getting somewhere with him that will give him the status of being No. 2 in the government. I'm not sure we can get there. We're trying."

According to the official, Bennett suddenly remembered he was interested in the offer Netanyahu made him three weeks ago. That offer, which Bennett declined, included a rotation deal for one year and his pick of 18 representatives to fill the Likud party's top 40 slots.

"Netanyahu will not offer a rotation. In today's public reality, it won't work, especially after Bennett picked the other side. That's not how it works. You can't try to get [something] from the other side and then come back to us and get a de-facto six Knesset seats and get the premiership. It can't be," he said.

Nevertheless, they said: "If we close a deal with Bennett quickly, we have a good chance at forming a government, either Gideon will come over or his people will come over. They know they won't survive the election. I believe that right before they disappear, every single one will come, but none of them will come if we don't close with Bennett."

As for the possibility Israel would head to a fifth round of elections, the Likud official said, "I don't think it's headed that direction. Either Bennet will reconnect with the other side or at the last minute, to avoid elections, people will climb down from their tree and arrive at a normal arrangement."

Yet on Lapid's side, too, officials reiterated Bennett was no longer part of the "pro-change" bloc. Nevertheless, bloc members said they believed the offer for the premiership was irrelevant, but that if Bennett wanted to join as a minister, they would be open to meet.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yamina leader Naftali Bennett exchanged barbs, Sunday, as the political process in the country returned to peacetime activity following an 11-day military escalation with Palestinian terrorists in the Gaza Strip.

Bennett took to Facebook to blast Netanyahu for his leadership during the recent military operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, saying "I cannot recall another period defined by weakness, dysfunction, and national embarrassment."

He said Netanyahu "appointed mediocre people, who in turn appoint mediocre people" and that his decision-making process was dictated by personal and political considerations. "All this through the creation of a smokescreen of a cult of personality … in which anyone who dares to criticize him comes under severe attack," he said.

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"Whoever drags the country into a fifth election, into more hatred and toxicity, into another year of dysfunction, and a huge waste of money - is playing into the hands of those who want to harm us," Bennett wrote.

In a statement, Netanyahu's Likud party took aim at Bennett's efforts to form a government with the "pro-change" bloc.

"There are certain politicians who speak right but act left. While they publish posts and articles that are supposedly 'right-wing'… Even after Hamas' murderous attacks, the violent riots inside Israel, and renewed talk of a Palestinian state that would be a giant Hamastan, they continue to act to establish a government that would be dependent on the Joint [Arab List] and the left-wing parties of Lapid, Meretz, and Labor."

Bennett and Netanyahu tried to reach an agreement earlier this year when President Reuven Rivlin entrusted Netanyahu with the mandate to form a government; however, the talks fell through.

In the meantime, Yesh Atid announced its negotiation team would renew talks with other parties, although not including Yamina at this time. Yesh Atid officials were set to speak to representatives of Meretz, Labor, and Yisrael Beytenu before meeting with New Hope head Gideon Sa'ar.

In addition to legislation to establish a state commission of inquiry into the Lag B'Omer stampede that killed 45 revelers on Mount Meron, Yesh Atid plans to propose term limits for the premiership as well as a prohibition on tasking a lawmaker under indictment with forming a government at a meeting of the Knesset's Arrangements Committee, Monday.

i24NEWS contributed to this report.

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with US President Joe Biden in a phone call, Saturday night. Netanyahu updated the US leader on recent developments and actions Israel had taken and planned to take in the recent round of fighting with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

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Biden was the one to initiate the call, which was lengthy and extensive. Netanyahu thanked the president for his unwavering support for Israel to defend itself and emphasized the Jewish state was doing everything in its power to avoid harm to civilians. He noted the residential towers taken out by Israeli Air Force strikes had housed terrorist targets and civilians had been evacuated from the buildings prior to the attacks.

In what was their first conversation since Biden took office, the US leader also spoke with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Saturday. According to the Palestinian Minister of Civil Affairs Hussein al-Sheikh, the two discussed recent developments in the region.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed his support for Israel's right to defend itself in a conversation with Defense Minister Benny Gantz, Saturday. Gantz thanked Lloyd for the US administration's support and emphasized Israel was doing everything it could to avoid harming innocent civilians. He said Israel's objective was to restore quiet in the long-term from Hamas, which for its part, was targeting population centers inside Israel.

He said, "Five days ago, the Hamas terrorist organization fired at the Israeli capital, the results of which its senior officials and unfortunately Gaza's residents are experiencing full well. Infrastructure Hamas saw as defensive collapse overnight."

"Tunnels were destroyed, launchers collapsed, and hiding places of senior Hamas officials were targeted for attack. I want to emphasize: The IDF is fighting with all its force and using trickery and means that are surprising the terrorist organizations," he said.

Gantz continued: "The State of Israel has the right and obligation to defend its citizens, and no country in the world would accept rocket fire toward its citizens. And I thank all of the leaders of countries that expressed support for Israel. I regret that there are countries and organizations that do not understand the reality as it is and instead of pressuring Hamas to stop firing, ignore its war crimes and put pressure on Israel … While the IDF targets and hits military targets, Hamas targets citizens and hides behind its own."

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