Netanyahu says comments by Shimrit Meir proof that Lapid will not be able to form a government without being 'blackmailed' by majority-Arab parties, whom he too has courted

Shimrit Meir, who resigned as PM's foreign policy adviser last month, suggests 'everything started to go totally downhill' when Yamina MK Idit Silman defected

Premier taps current aides Eden Bizman, Keren Hajioff to fill top positions after pair of senior officials quit Prime Minister's Office

Tal Gan-Zvi, who has advised Bennett since 2013, is latest top aide to leave; rival Shimrit Meir is stepping down in coming days

Meir was reportedly the prime minister's closest aide but clashed with Bennett's political team and his right-wing party members

State Dept. spokesman says recently announced plans for new homes 'completely inconsistent' with efforts to maintain calm; 'We are deeply concerned'

Prime minister, top security officials sit down with visiting US spy chief amid growing regional tensions involving Tehran