Israeli prime minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu moved closer to securing a new government after last month's election by reaching a coalition deal with the far-right Religious Zionism party, his Likud party said on Thursday.
Likud said Religious Zionism would be given control of the Finance Ministry as part of a rotation, without saying how the arrangement would work.
It will also have strong influence over policies in the occupied West Bank and the country's justice system.
The deal gives Mr Netanyahu control of 46 of the Knesset's 120 seats so far.
Israel's Army Radio reported that Bezalel Smotrich, 42, who leads Religious Zionism, would be Finance Minister at the outset and later be replaced.
His party, which opposes Palestinian statehood and supports extending Israeli sovereignty into the West Bank, will be given authority over Jewish settlement activity there, although it will be in co-ordination with Mr Netanyahu, Likud said.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed meets Benjamin Netanyahu - in pictures
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Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, with former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv. All photos: Wam -
They discussed how co-operation has increased between the UAE and Israel since the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020. -
They also discussed the situation in the Middle East and efforts to achieve peace and stability. -
Mr Netanyahu was prime minister of Israel when the accords were signed.
"This is another significant step bringing us closer to forming a right-wing, nationalist government that will look out for all Israeli citizens," Mr Netanyahu said.
The agreement comes after his right-wing alliance won a comfortable victory in a November 1 election, Israel's fifth in less than four years.
Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem — areas that Palestinians want for a state — in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.
US-sponsored negotiations stalled in 2014 but the expansion of settlements has continued despite international opposition.
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Former Israeli prime minister and leader of the Likud party Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara greet supporters in Jerusalem as Israelis went to the polls on Tuesday. EPA -
Mr Netanyahu greets supporters after the end of voting for the national elections. AFP -
Prime Minister Yair Lapid addresses supporters at his campaign headquarters in Tel Aviv. EPA -
The prime minister's wife Lihi Lapid, centre, cheers her husband. AFP -
The leader of the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) far-right party Itamar Ben Gvir at his party's campaign headquarters in Jerusalem. AFP -
Otzma Yehudit party members in upbeat mood. AFP -
A Likud party supporter responds to favourable exit polls. Getty -
Supporters of Mr Netanyahu react as early exit polls suggest a comeback for the former leader. EPA -
An Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Israeli selects his ballot paper on the day of Israel's general election at a polling station in Jerusalem. Reuters -
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Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid smiles as he casts his vote at a polling station in Israel's coastal city of Tel Aviv. Mr Lapid urged the electorate to cast their ballot after voting in an election that might lead to veteran leader Benjamin Netanyahu making a comeback alongside far-right allies. Reuters -
Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz, right, head of the new centre-right National Unity Party, and his wife Revital Gantz vote at a polling station in the city of Rosh Haayin in central Israel. AFP -
Ultra-Orthodox Jews watch their Rabbi Israel Hager vote during Israeli elections in Bnei Brak. AP -
An Ultra-Orthodox Jewish man votes in Israel's parliamentary election at a polling station in Bnei Brak. AP -
An Israeli man walks with a little girl towards the ballot box to cast his vote. AP -
A little girl helps her mother cast her ballot on the day of Israel's general election at a polling station in Taibe, northern Israel. Reuters -
Israelis queue to cast their ballots on the day of Israel's general election at a polling station in Tel Aviv. Reuters -
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Israelis wait to cast their ballots at a polling station in Jerusalem. Reuters -
An Israeli man casts his ballot at a drive-through polling station for people quarantined as a result of Covid-19 in Jerusalem. Reuters
Mr Smotrich is better known for his nationalistic politics than his economic views.
He ran together with far-right ally Itamar Ben-Gvir, although they now lead separate factions in the Knesset.
Mr Ben-Gvir has already signed up with Mr Netanyahu after being promised the National Security Ministry, a newly created portfolio with powers over police in Israel and the West Bank.
Mr Smotrich served briefly in a Netanyahu-led government as transport minister, from 2019 to 2020.
He advocates conservative fiscal policies such as lowering the debt-to-GDP ratio, favours a universal tax decrease on businesses and hopes to rein in public-sector strikes.
