Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu had hard time forging coalition government

In a country that has never seen a majority government since it was founded in 1948, what stands out in the most recent round of coalition-making is perhaps just how difficult a time Benjamin Netanyahu had to scrape together enough support.

Seven weeks ago, prime minister Netanyahu and his right-wing Likud party stunned political observers in Israel by winning what's considered a strong victory in a country where the parliamentary system is fractured: 30 seats, or a quarter of the Knesset.

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"Netanyahu began the coalition negotiations as the big winner and emerged from them as a small loser," wrote long-time Israeli political columnist Ben Caspit in daily Ma'ariv. "There isn't a single mistake that wasn't made, there wasn't a pothole that wasn't hit."

Netanyahu's better-than-expected victory had some thinking it would be easier-than-expected to put together a coalition. In the end, they were wrong.

Negotiations went down to wire, with Netanyahu announcing his fourth coalition government about 90 minutes before the deadline last night. The prime minister has brought together five religious and right-leaning parties: Likud, Kulanu, United Torah Judaism, Shas and Jewish Home.

The government he presented to Israelis this morning is one of the slimmest parliamentary majorities; Netanyahu's coalition is comprised of 61 of 120 Knesset seats.

Political pundits here were quick to call Netanyahu's coalition weak, unstable and has the potential to fall quickly.

Netanyahu "is about to embark on his way with a rickety, conflicted, divided government that has the smallest majority possible and whose ability to survive crises and to push through reforms is next to nil," continued Caspit.

Netanyahu's struggle to form his government came after serious political clashes with the Jewish Home party, which holds eight seats in the Knesset. Without Jewish Home, Netanyahu would not have been able to secure a majority. Political analysts say the prime minister made major concessions to bring the party further to the right of his own on side.

Including Jewish Home

Its leader, the former Netanyahu protege Naftali Bennett, who has become a chief rival of the prime minister, is expected to be named as education minister. Jewish Home will also likely control the justice portfolio as well, which has many on the left worried the party will try to weaken Israel's Supreme Court.

Netanyahu formed his coalition by including Jewish Home, but there are indications there are scores now to be settled.

"We will not forgive Bennett for his extortion and will take revenge one day," a senior member of the Likud party is quoted as saying in Ma'ariv this morning.

The powerful position of Jewish Home won't sit well with Palestinians either. The party is against the establishment of a Palestinian state and has called for the annexation of parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian negotiator, is highly critical:

"Congratulations, Israel. Your new government has ensured that peace is not on their agenda," he said.

Irresponsible, unstable and unable to govern — a government of national failure was formed today.- Isaac Herzog

"This new right-wing, extremist government is not a partner for peace when the leaders call for the annexation of Palestinian land, forcible transfer of the Palestinian population, and the genocide against our people."

Netanyahu hinted last night that while he's formed his government, coalition-building may not be over. "I said that 61 is a good number, and that 61-plus is even better," he told reporters.

Sources within the Likud suggest the prime minister may try to bring the centre-left Zionist Union onside from the opposition to form a national unity government.

It did not take much time for the leader of the Zionist Union, Isaac Herzog, to dismiss that.

"Irresponsible, unstable and unable to govern — a government of national failure was formed today," Herzog wrote on his Facebook page.