Israel‘s president began post-election consultations on Monday with political parties that will lead to his appointment of a candidate to form a government.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s nomination seemed virtually ensured after his right-wing Likud won the largest number of parliamentary seats in Tuesday’s ballot, and his closest rival, Benny Gantz of the centrist Blue and White party, conceded defeat.
The president, Reuven Rivlin, said he would announce his choice on Wednesday after meeting with all of the parties that captured seats in the 120-member Knesset.

Freshman Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) asserted in a media interview over the weekend that cutting military and economic aid to Israel should be “on the table.”
“I think it is certainly on the table. I think it’s something that can be discussed,” the prominent progressiver lawmaker said on Yahoo’s “Skullduggery” podcast on Sunday.
Ocasio-Cortez said that newly re-elected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pledge to annex territory in the West Bank should be opposed by the US government. She also criticized Netanyahu as a “Trump-like figure.”
“I think these are part of conversations we are having in our caucus, but I think what we are really seeing is an ascent of authoritarianism across the world,” she said.

U.S. President Donald Trump slammed Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) on Monday as “anti-Semitic” and “anti-Israel” amid Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) coming to her defense in response to the president tweeting a video, criticizing Omar for saying that the 9/11 attacks as “some people did something.”
“Before Nancy, who has lost all control of Congress and is getting nothing done, decides to defend her leader, Rep. Omar, she should look at the anti-Semitic, anti-Israel and ungrateful U.S. HATE statements Omar has made. She is out of control, except for her control of Nancy!” he tweeted.
Pelosi announced on Sunday that U.S. Capitol Police and the House sergeant-at-arms “are conducting a security assessment to safeguard” Omar, he family and staff.

Tiger Woods better make some more room in his trophy cabinet.
After picking up another Masters trophy on Sunday — the fifth of his career — President Trump announced Monday the golfer will get an even higher honor: The Presidential Medal of Freedom.
“Spoke to @TigerWoods to congratulate him on the great victory he had in yesterday’s @TheMasters, & to inform him that because of his incredible Success & Comeback in Sports (Golf) and, more importantly, LIFE, I will be presenting him with the PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM!” the president tweeted.
Read more at Fox News.
{Matzav.com}

Reaction from Democratic strategist Mustafa Tameez and Republican strategist Kimberly Klacik.
WATCH:

Nine months after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented a written outlook of his views on Israel’s security and defense in several different forums, Israel Hayom has obtained a number of unpublished sections of the document.
In an article due to be published in the United States, former acting National Security Adviser Jacob Nagel reveals newly non-classified sections of Netanyahu’s security and defense outlook.
One of Netanyahu’s underlying assumptions is that there are currently no existential threats facing the state of Israel, Iranian threats notwithstanding. Nagel writes that Netanyahu thinks this situation should be maintained.

In what can be seen as an incredible show of support for Israel, the U.S. administration included Israel in its efforts to block the International Criminal Court (ICC) from investigating war-crimes allegations. In a statement attributed to Trump, the White House said, “Since the creation of the ICC, the United States has consistently declined to join the court because of its broad, unaccountable prosecutorial powers; the threat it poses to American national sovereignty; and other deficiencies that render it illegitimate. Any attempt to target American, Israeli or allied personnel for prosecution will be met with a swift and vigorous response.”

Rep. Nadler argues that the Mueller report may contain ‘proof of some very bad deeds’ and motives. Harvard Law professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz sounds off.
WATCH:

The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris caught fire Monday and, as firefighters worked to contain the intensifying blaze, the structure’s iconic spire collapsed.
The fire started at 6:50 p.m. local time, according to the Paris fire department. A spokesperson for the cathedral described the damage to French media as “colossal.” First responders were trying to salvage the priceless art that was stored inside the cathedral, ABC News reported.
{Matzav.com}

A mother and her young children were among 16 people injured, one seriously, in a massive fire that broke out in a Haifa apartment block on Monday.
After igniting in a second-floor apartment, the blaze ripped through the building on Ibn Gvirol Street, leaving one man in serious condition, one person in moderate condition and another 11 people with light injuries.
Five firefighter units battled the blaze, entered the burning building and saved the life of the seriously injured man. They evacuated the approximately 30-year-old woman, in addition to her 3-year-old and 6-year-old children.
The majority of the victims were evacuated to Haifa’s Rambam Hospital.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated.
(JNS)
{Matzav.com}