Israeli leader avoids early election as ruling coalition holds
JERUSALEM — Israel avoided early elections after a key coalition partner in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government said Monday that he would not withdraw his party, keeping the coalition intact despite a crisis triggered by a violent flare-up with Gaza militants.
Education Minister Naftali Bennett said his hard-line, pro-settler Jewish Home party would give Netanyahu another chance to address the security challenges facing Israel, listing threats from Gaza and Lebanon, among others, that he wants dealt with more firmly.
“I tell the prime minister here: We are withdrawing right now all of our political demands and will stand to help you in this great mission of getting Israel to win again,” he said.