Benjamin Netanyahu forms far-right coalition government in Israel

Move brings end to unprecedented era of political gridlock that forced five elections in less than four years

Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he had formed a new Israeli government on Tuesday, returning to power as the head of the most right-wing coalition in Israel's history.

Mr Netanyahu secured a mandate to form a government backed by ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties and an extreme-right bloc after his November 1 election win.

His win enabled him to replace the ideologically disparate coalition that removed him as prime minister in 2021 and left him poised to end Israel's unprecedented era of political gridlock that forced five elections in less than four years.

Mr Netanyahu, who is fighting corruption allegations in court, has already served as premier longer than anyone in Israeli history, including a 1996 to 1999 stint and a record 12-year tenure from 2009 to 2021.

His mandate to conclude coalition talks had been set to expire at midnight.

Minutes before the deadline, he informed President Isaac Herzog by phone that he "been able to establish a government", Mr Netanyahu's office said.

It confirmed that Mr Netanyahu's Likud would govern in partnership with the main ultra-Orthodox parties and members of an extreme bloc that ran under the Religious Zionism alliance.

Some political analysts had forecast that Mr Netanyahu, 73, would be able to announce a new government quickly after the November polls, given the ideological common ground between his right-wing Likud party and its partners.

But the talks dragged on, with Mr Netanyahu forced to juggle demands for senior cabinet posts, some of which he was compelled to grant.

Among his most controversial moves was promising an expanded national security ministry to the leader of the Jewish Power party, Itamar Ben Gvir, who has a long history of incendiary speech against Arabs.

It was not immediately clear when the new government would be sworn in. Mr Netanyahu told Mr Herzog he intended to do so "as soon as possible".

There could be delays linked to the continuing Jewish Hannukah holiday and because crucial parliamentary business remains unfinished.

Israel elections 2022 - in pictures

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

Mr Netanyahu and his wife Sara cast their ballot at a polling station in Jerusalem in the country's fifth election in less than four years. AFP

A man kisses his dog after casting his ballot in Tel Aviv during the Israeli elections. AP

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

Aryeh Deri, leader of the Shas ultra-Orthodox party, is a key player in the new parliament who has been promised the interior and health portfolios.

But according to Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, Mr Deri cannot serve in cabinet because of past convictions for tax offences.

Parliament is expected to pass legislation to remove that obstacle, but has yet to do so even though Mr Netanyahu and his allies control 64 of its 120 seats.

More sensitive are measures that would give Mr Ben Gvir control over the border police, which assists the army in annexed East Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank.

Mr Ben Gvir has been widely accused of inflaming tension and has repeatedly urged Israeli security personnel to use more force when countering Palestinian unrest.

On Tuesday a senior US official said Washington planed a meeting early in 2023 between Israel and Arab nations that recognise it, as it pushes Mr Netanyahu's incoming right-wing government to show restraint.

Netanyahu on trial - in pictures

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, wearing a mask, stands inside the courtroom as his corruption trial opens at the Jerusalem district court. Reuters

A live TV broadcast shows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his lawyers entering the district court where he is facing a trial for alleged corruption crimes in Salah el-Din, East Jerusalem, Israel. EPA

Protesters opposed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gather during a demonstration outside his residence in Jerusalem, Israel. EPA

A protester against Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wears a face mask during a protest outside his residence in Jerusalem. AP Photo

Protesters opposed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu march while holding a banner during a demonstration outside the prime minister's residence in Jerusalem, Israel. EPA

A convoy transporting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives at the district court of Jerusalem for a long-delayed corruption trial. AFP

Israeli security forces stand guard as a convoy transporting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives at the district court of Jerusalem for a long-delayed corruption trial. AFP

Ms Baharav-Miara has issued a stark condemnation of the prospective government's legislative agenda.

She said some of the measures threatened to turn Israel into a "democracy in name, but not in essence".

"The politicisation of law enforcement will deal a serious blow to the most fundamental principles of the rule of law, that is to say equality, the absence of arbitrariness and impartiality," Ms Baharav-Miara said.

Mr Netanyahu may still be juggling cabinet demands from within his own Likud, by far the largest party in parliament. Israeli newspaper Maariv said that remained a major challenge.

"There are more demands for important portfolios than available jobs," the paper said in a commentary on Wednesday.