Naftali Bennett

Israel's top diplomat Yair Lapid on June 29 began the first-ever official visit by an Israeli minister to the United Arab Emirates, after the two nations normalized ties in September.

A coalition of ideologically divergent parties ousted on Sunday the hawk Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, and formed a new government in a seismic shift in the country's turbulent politics.

A motley alliance of Israeli parties on June 13 ended Benjamin Netanyahu's 12 straight years as prime minister, as parliament voted in a new government led by his former ally, right-wing Jewish nationalist Naftali Bennett.

Israel was approaching the end of an era after the last-minute formation of a motley coalition that could in the next few days oust veteran leader Benjamin Netanyahu, the country's longest-serving prime minister.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's opponents announced on June 2 that they have reached a deal to form a new governing coalition, paving the way for the ouster of the longtime Israeli leader.

Israeli opposition parties have reached an agreement to form a new government that would end Benjamin Netanyahu's 12-year tenure as prime minister.

Yair Lapid, leader of the centrist Yesh Atid party, announced an eight-faction coalition had been formed.

A former ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on May 30 said he would seek to form a coalition government with the Israeli leader's opponents, taking a major step toward ending the rule of the longtime premier.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's prospects for retaining power were uncertain on Wednesday after exit polls in Israel's fourth national election in two years projected yet another stalemate.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's prospects for retaining power were uncertain on March 24 after exit polls in Israel's fourth national election in two years projected yet another stalemate.

Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos (left) arrived in Israel on Wednesday for an official two-day visit at the invitation of his Israeli counterpart Naftali Bennett. [ANA-MPA/Defense Ministry's press office]