TEL AVIV (Sputnik) — All six of Yisrael Beiteinu’s lawmakers are poised to join the Netanyahu coalition to expand its majority from 61 to 67 in the 120-member Knesset (Israeli Parliament). Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman is later expected to replace Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon who resigned this week citing distrust toward Netanyahu and his right-wing policies.
"I want to make it clear: the expanded government will continue to put every effort to promote the political process with Palestinians, including with the help of regional partners. I personally work intensively on it and I am going to continue to do so," Netanyahu said, addressing the government.
Following the expansion of the coalition, all left-wing parties will remain opposition ones.
Palestinians seek diplomatic recognition of their independent state on the territories of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, partially occupied by Israel, and the Gaza Strip. Israel has been building settlements on the occupied territories, despite objection from the United Nations.
