It took weeks, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu found enough common ground with coalition members Thursday to form a new government.
The three coalition players signed the deal, but a formal announcement has yet to be made, a spokeswoman for the Yesh Atid party told The Associated Press. The new government could be sworn in as early as Monday — just two days before President Obama is scheduled to make his first visit to the country, CBS reports.
CBS reports the priority with the next government will likely be domestic issues, rather than Palestinian peace deals.
The coalition includes Mr. Netanyahu’s conservative Likud-Yisrael Beitenu and two comparatively new parties: Yesh Atid was formed by an ex-television personality, Yair Lapid, and The Jewish Home, which is led by techie millionaire Naftali Bennett.
Mr. Netanyahu’s majority party will keep control of Defense and Interior. Mr. Lapid will control Finance and Education. And The Jewish House will control Housing and Trade, CBS reports.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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