Opposition's Gafni blames PM Bennett for resurgence of COVID, as new government defeats first no-confidence motions 59-50

Outgoing PM skips traditional photo of handover with successor, tells opposition bloc he'll topple new government based on 'fraud, hate and power-seeking'

New Hope party said to demand new body to oversee Palestinian building in Area C, while Gantz insists issue remain under his ministry

'Change bloc' leaders try to ensure no last-minute defections or unresolved disputes between coalition parties can thwart razor-thin majority for bid to oust Netanyahu

Agreements between 8 parties represent a tapestry of policy arrangements aimed at pleasing the diverse and sometimes conflicting ideologies within the would-be-government

Many records will be broken if the Lapid-Bennett coalition is finally sworn in, from the most factions to the most journalists to the most ex-Netanyahu aides

Full cabinet of at least 26 members said to include one-third women, one-third religious Jews, one-third of Sephardi origin; will also have Arab and Ethiopian-origin ministers

Rami Ben-Yehuda barred from nearing or contacting family of New Hope MK after screaming at Maria Elkin; apologizes for calling her 'Russian,' but not for branding her 'traitor'

Pro-Netanyahu demonstrators gathered outside couple's Jerusalem home, called Maria Elkin 'a Russian traitor' and 'a disgusting gentile'; similar incident occurred last week

After breaking away from Likud to form New Hope, exit polls show Gideon Sa'ar's party garnering as few as six seats despite early predictions of 20