Netanyahu calls for ‘patience’ in coalition talks to form new government

16 November 2022, 5:05 pm

Edit

Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu seen after coalition talks at a hotel in Jerusalem on November 16, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Heading out of a meeting with Shas head Aryeh Deri, prime minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu calls for patience as coalition talks drag on.

“A little patience, and with God’s help we’ll establish a right-wing government,” Netanyahu tells reporters after the meeting.

Netanyahu is set to lead a 64-seat coalition of his Likud party with Shas, United Torah Judaism and Religious Zionism, but battles over ministerial positions are ongoing.

Deri has demanded the post of finance minister, but so has Smotrich, who sees it as his second-choice behind being defense minister — a job Netanyahu has told him he can’t have.

Likud says that Netanyahu does not have any further meetings scheduled for the day.