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Netanyahu meets with far-right leader Smotrich as he starts coalition talks
Likud head Benjamin Netanyahu (center) speaks with Religious Zionism chief Bezalel Smotrich (second from left) during informal coalition talks in Jerusalem on November 6, 2022. (Courtesy)
Likud chief Benjamin Netanyahu meets far-right Religious Zionism leader Bezalel Smotrich for coalition talks, after the former prime minister’s party and allied factions secured a parliamentary majority in last week’s elections.
Smotrich ran together on a joint slate with MK Itamar Ben Gvir, who heads the extreme Otzma Yehudit party. The two announced earlier today that they will negotiate as a joint bloc.
It is not yet clear if Netanyahu will meet separately with Ben Gvir, whom he has so far avoided being photographed with.
