March 17, 2013

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with President Shimon Peres to inform him that he formed a government coalition.

The leaders met Saturday night at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, one day after Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett — leaders of the Yesh Atid and Jewish Home parties, respectively — signed a contract with Netanyahu on Friday, ending negotiations that had been underway since the Jan. 22 election.

The coalition will include 68 of the Knesset’s 120 parliamentarians. The other parties are Tzipi Livni’s Hatnua and the Likud-Beiteinu faction led by Netanyahu.

“As you know I was tasked with forming a government. You bestowed that task upon me and I carried it out. We are standing before a decisive year in terms of security, economy and in efforts to progress peace. The citizens of Israel wanted change. This government shows cooperation, and I believe that we will be able to bring news in all these fields, to all the citizens of Israel. That is my mission and I know that it is your prayer,” Netanyahu told Peres. 

A statement issued Saturday by the White House congratulated Netanyahu on forming a new government, in advance of President Obama’s March 20 visit.

“President Obama looks forward to working closely with the Prime Minister and the new government to address the many challenges we face and advance our shared interest in peace and security. The United States places a high value on its deep and enduring bonds with Israel and the Israeli people. The President looks forward to further strengthening those bonds when he travels to Israel next week to meet with Israeli officials and to speak directly with the Israeli people,” the statement said.

Netanyahu on Sunday named former Israel Defense Forces chief of staff Moshe Ya’alon as Israel’s next defense minister. Netanyahu was scheduled to meet Sunday with other Likud lawmakers to assign ministerial positions and committee chairmanships.

The new government is expected to be sworn in later on Sunday.
 

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