Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has clinched a 11th-hour deal with a right-wing party to form a hard-line coalition Government that could pose a major challenge to any global initiative to break the logjam in peace talks with the Palestinians.
Netanyahu seemed visibly tense as coalition talks with the Bayit Hayehudi (Jewish Home) party identified with hardline settlers extended till late evening and a deal was agreed just 90 minutes before the midnight deadline.
The Prime Minister made major concessions to ensure a wafer-thin majority of 61 members in a 120-member Israeliparliament —Knesset. "Sixty-one is a good number, and 61-plus is an even better number," Netanyahu said.
"But it starts at 61 and we will begin.We have a lot of work ahead of us," he added. In return for Jewish Home's support, Netanyahu bowed to its demand for the Justice Minister portfolio, a post critical to the smooth passage of cabinet-approved legislation to parliament for ratification.
Netanyahu informed President Rivlin that, "I am honoured to notify you I have succeeded in forming a Government, which I would like to present to parliament as soon as possible." President Rivlin had given Netanyahu a two-week extension after he failed to muster a coaltion during the 28 days allotted time after majority of the elected members had expressed support for him to lead the next Government.