Netanyahu's coalition crisis eases as partner backed off defence ministry demand

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition crisis eased on Monday when a coalition partner backed off a demand to be given the defence ministry, making an early election less likely.

"You win some, you lose some," Education Minister Naftali Bennett said in a televised address, shrugging off Netanyahu's rejection of his bid.

Bennett's U-turn surprised many pundits, who had predicted the leader of the far-right Jewish Home party would opt to quit in protest. He said the party was withdrawing all its political demands and would stand by the prime minister. 

(With inputs from agencies.)