Incoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party are making progress in forming the country’s new government despite reported rumors that negotiations have reached a standstill. Outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid expressed concerns of a government dominated by the religious parties. In an address to the new Knesset, Netanyahu assured the governing body that he will seek a “broad consensus” on issues and “preserve Israeli democracy and Israel.” He also criticized Lapid over the U.S.-brokered deal with Lebanon concerning offshore natural gas reserves which was never approved by the full Knesset.
