Netanyahu unlikely to upset US ties over Iran, Lebanon
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Netanyahu will avoid US backlash on Iran, Lebanon
Even if Benjamin Netanyahu succeeds in forming what may be the most right-wing government in Israel’s history, he is unlikely to unravel either the Israel-Lebanon gas deal or the US-Israel consensus on dealing with Iran.
The governing coalition that Netanyahu is likely to form will hold him hostage to the extremist Knesset members Bezalel Smotrich, chair of the Religious Zionism party, and Itamar Ben-Gvir, chair of the Jewish Power party. The two provide 14 seats toward the required 61 (out of 120) needed to form a government. With Jewish Power in his coalition, Netanyahu has 64 seats to work with.
“Ben-Gvir and Smotrich are expected to become senior ministers in Netanyahu’s government and even to serve in his security Cabinet,” writes Mazal Mualem. “Given their party’s size, they will also receive another two ministers at least. Netanyahu will need to find portfolios for them that do not cause too many problems with the international community and especially with the United States.”
