Coalition negotiations continue to dominate the domestic agenda as ultra-Orthodox parties rebuff efforts to oust the Knesset Speaker and haggle over draft exemption legislation, while Naftali Bennett maintains an unusual public silence. On the security front, the IDF has announced new specialised infantry battalions for the Golani and Nahal brigades, and a Shin Bet probe has reportedly found no evidence of foreign election interference. Internationally, large-scale protests against Israel in Amsterdam and contentious debates in the UK highlight growing diplomatic friction, while Murphy Oil becomes the latest American firm to join Israel's offshore gas exploration efforts.

Politics

Coalition talks remain fraught as Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Gush HaShinui bloc, appealed directly to Shas and United Torah Judaism to back a motion replacing Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana on the day a new government is sworn in. Both ultra-Orthodox parties rejected the request, with UTJ chairman Yaakov Asher stating his party would not support any effort to replace Ohana before a new government is formed. The refusal came even as editorials in newspapers linked to the Gur and Peretz Hasidic courts published unusually sharp criticism of Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of having misled voters over four years. Meanwhile, UTJ, pushed by MK Moshe Gafni's ally Yitzhak Goldknopf, is weighing joining a coalition with the change bloc on condition that any future draft exemption law be protected from Supreme Court invalidation, a demand Avigdor Liberman has said must first pass judicial scrutiny. Naftali Bennett has not appeared publicly since election night, with his allies insisting his silence does not signal acquiescence to any deal involving exemptions for yeshiva students. Aides, including MK-designate Keren Turner, say Bennett's bloc is determined to see the 'soldiers' revolution' through, prioritising reservists and conscripts in coalition negotiations even as Liberman reportedly dangles financial promises to potential ultra-Orthodox partners.

Security

The IDF Chief of Staff has approved the establishment of two new specialised infantry battalions, 'Alon' within the Golani Brigade and 'Nofech' within the Nahal Brigade, dedicated to detection and strike operations. The units will focus on drone warfare, robotics, surveillance and imaging systems, advanced weaponry and precision-guided munitions, aimed at enhancing battlefield exposure and strike capabilities. Separately, a Shin Bet investigation into alleged election interference has reportedly found no concrete proof that the Palestinian Authority transferred funds to Arab parties, despite suspicions raised by officials including former Shin Bet chief Ronen Zini. Without further evidence, no suspects are expected to be questioned under caution.

International

Approximately 200,000 people rallied in Amsterdam against the Dutch government's Israel policy, with organisers distancing themselves from a small group of activists who displayed a 'We Support Hamas' banner on the sidelines. In London, leafleteers targeted the Royal Free Hospital in protest at NHS reforms designed to combat antisemitism, prompting condemnation from the foundation trust over the campaigning activity on its premises. Israel's ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, told a gathering of Chabad emissaries that New York Times coverage of the Gaza war was 'preparing the next genocide' of Jews, drawing parallels with historical persecution in Europe. A French government assessment reportedly found that posts linking recent unrest in France to Islamism and migration, traced to Israeli officials and MAGA-aligned accounts, far outnumbered similar content from pro-Russian networks, with the EU also flagging a Moscow-linked influence campaign. In a rare diplomatic win for Israel, a surprise vote in the UK House of Lords has raised questions over the British government's sweeping new sanctions powers. Separately, the Palestinian Authority has temporarily barred Arab Israelis from land transactions after settlers purchased homes near Jericho, marking one of the first times the PA has formally distinguished Arab Israeli citizens from Palestinians under its jurisdiction.

Economy

Texas-based Murphy Oil Corporation is set to join Israel's fourth licensing round for offshore gas exploration, serving as operator alongside Israeli firm Ratio. The move marks Murphy's first entry into the Mediterranean and signals continued international interest in Israel's offshore energy sector.

Health

The Health Ministry has issued a warning against purchasing or consuming 'Royal Black Honey', a product marketed as a honey-based dietary supplement. Laboratory tests found the product contains sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, without this being disclosed on the packaging. The product is not approved by the ministry, and unsupervised use could cause serious side effects.

Other Developments

Police are recruiting top students to work alongside the Lahav 433 Etgar unit, analysing criminal recruitment advertisements on TikTok and developing artificial intelligence tools to predict crime trends, amid estimates that around one billion shekels flows annually from Israel to the Palestinian Authority through car theft rings. Separately, the Jewish Agency and ASHER have launched a memorial initiative, #ShineTheLight, encouraging Jewish communities worldwide to illuminate homes, synagogues and community spaces on 9 November to mark Kristallnacht in a collective act of remembrance.

Sources: Ynet, Walla, www.israelhayom.co.il, Times of Israel, Jerusalem Post