Gadi Eisenkot, accepting the mandate from Israel's president, said he will backtrack on campaign promises on coalition partnerships, and vows 'creative' solutions to fix Israel's political deadlock and form a new government

Following Shas' poor election showing, Dery's associates had briefed reporters that he was considering quitting both the party and the Knesset. Dery is expected to continue leading Shas from outside parliament

The suspension followed an on-air exchange in which Eyal Berkovic questioned whether Arab and Muslim public figures, including Israeli lawmaker Ahmad Tibi, were qualified to use the title 'doctor'