Netanyahu cites threat from Iran, Syria as cabinet named

Bloomberg: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented his third Cabinet to parliament as he vowed to fight threats from Iran, Syria, Hamas and Hezbollah.
Bloomberg

By Jonathan Ferziger

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented his third Cabinet to parliament as he vowed to fight threats from Iran, Syria, Hamas and Hezbollah.

Netanyahu also told the 120-seat Knesset that he would seek again to resolve the conflict with the Palestinians and will thank President Barack Obama this week for helping to insure Israel’s security.

“The first priority of the new government will be protecting the nation and its citizens,” Netanyahu said in a speech broadcast from the Knesset in Jerusalem. “I am not exaggerating when I say the threats are greater than ever.”

Netanyahu, 63, took the full six weeks allotted by law to form the new coalition, which commands 68 seats in the 120- member Knesset. Obama arrives March 20 on a four-day trip that will take him to Jerusalem and the West Bank.

The Cabinet includes Yair Lapid, leader of the Yesh Atid party as finance minister, and Naftali Bennett, head of the Jewish Home party, both freshman legislators.