Failure to pass budget would order snap elections — giving former premier, who is rising in the polls, chance at redemption, but Lapid-Bennett gov't managed to buy itself more time in power to his dismay and despite claims of possible defectors

Jewish-American businessman Phil Rosen, a close associate of Netanyahu, says Riyadh ready to join Abraham accords 'within months or year', claims kingdom admires Israeli ability to defend itself against Iran

Legislature votes 61-59 in favor of first state budget in over 3 years of political stalemate in a test for Bennett's diverse coalition; PM tweets vote is 'day of celebration'; 2022 spending bill to go up for vote later Thursday

Lawmakers pass first spending bill after over 3 years of political stalemate; deliberations on 2022 budget expected to continue until early Friday; coalition MK says budget will stabilize Israel's economy and political system

Thousands gather on Tehran streets to mark the event that triggered 444-day hostage crisis and break in diplomatic relations that continues to this day, chanting 'death to America, Israel' and burning flags

Following announcement that negotiations on 2015 nuclear agreement will resume in November, Islamic Republic's president vows Tehran 'will not retreat from the interests of our nation in any way'

Parliamentary panel chair becomes first to openly acknowledged government's use of Israeli-made malware in spying on lawyers, opposition politician and government-critical journalists