Israel is bracing for coalition talks as the country awaits the official results of its recent elections, which may lead to a stalemate in forming a government.
What happened
President Trump announced that the US will end $4 billion in annual aid to Israel after this year, stating that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had approached him about the idea. Trump also hinted at a potential deal with Iran, saying that oil prices are dropping due to expectations of a settlement.
Vice President JD Vance revealed that the White House has had good conversations with the Iranians and feels positive about the prospects of a settlement. However, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Bagaei warned that any attack on Iran would be met with a powerful response.
In Israel, President Isaac Herzog will begin meeting with political parties to discuss forming a government, while Prime Minister Netanyahu has expressed his desire for a unity government that does not rely on Arab parties. However, Yashar Party Chairman Gadi Eisenkot has refused to sit in a government run by Netanyahu.
The situation is further complicated by the combination of seats required to pass the 61-seat threshold for a parliamentary majority, with several individuals and parties refusing to work together.
