Benyamin Netanyahu sixth term as Israeli Prime Minister officially began on 29 December as he cobbled together a coalition including ultra-right-wing parties after Israel’s fifth election in three and a half years were held on 1 November.

The previous anyone-but-Netanyahu coalition was ultimately unable to overcome its vast internal political differences and lasted barely 12 months (MEES, 24 June), but Mr Netanyahu hopes his new government has at least some chance of remaining in office for its full four-year term. That said, there is enough controversy surrounding members of the cabinet, including the PM himself, to suggest it could yet be another short-lived tenure. (CONTINUED - 1073 WORDS)