President warns Shas party about Temple Mount dangers in reference to far-right MK, who responds that Herzog assured him he need only explain his positions for world to understand

Experts and voters say Religious Zionism doubled support by finding people worried about security and willing to ignore more extreme stances, given lack of right-wing options

President will meet first with far-right factions according to schedule that starts with smallest parties and works up to the largest; Gantz and Liberman won't recommend Lapid

Mercaz Olami, the Zionist umbrella arm of Conservative-Masorti Judaism, warns appointing far-right lawmaker to a cabinet post would threaten Israel-Diaspora ties

Hebrew media reports claim the president contacted outgoing PM and defense minister; Lapid's office also denies report, says he's made clear he won't partner with Netanyahu

Diaspora and religion reporter Judah Ari Gross looks at US Jews' reaction to Israeli election results as real estate editor Danielle Nagler discusses rental market and hotels

Likud leader also takes phone call from Ukraine's Zelensky, promises to 'seriously examine' policies; tells US president he believes they'll ink additional peace deals

British PM, himself only recently installed, says two countries have a 'huge amount' to work on together in trade, security and technology

Turnout was up overall, but especially for Netanyahu's bloc, and most of all among Haredim. And while he optimized his bloc to beat the threshold, his opponents emphatically didn't

Incoming PM is also facing Smotrich's demand for the Finance Ministry; meanwhile, Likud MKs see their negotiating power for top jobs reduced, particularly Israel Katz