Israel woke up Monday to a new government headed by far-right leader Naftali Bennett, who will focus on his efforts to translate the promises of the "change" coalition into reality, after it ended the 12 years of Benjamin Netanyahu´s rule.
The coalition, which includes Israeli parties of different orientations, a group of veteran political leaders and a large number of women, overthrew Netanyahu after the task of ending his political life brought them together.
The new government coalition won the votes of 60 deputies, while 59 deputies opposed it, most of them from right-wing and extreme right parties, while one representative abstained from voting.
On Monday morning, the 26 cabinet members plus Bennett arrived at the residence of Israeli President Reuven Rivlin — who is set to step down in July — for the traditional photo shoot.
In the afternoon hours, Netanyahu is supposed to hand Bennett the helm at the Prime Minister´s Office in Jerusalem, but without an official ceremony, contrary to what is customary.
In an editorial for the moderate Maariv newspaper, political journalist Ben Caspit wrote, “This morning marks the dawn of a new day. … It is the morning of the hard work needed to rebuild.”
Caspit wrote of “the desire of so many Israelis to live in peace, without incitement to violence, without hate, and above all without endless lies like those left by Netanyahu.”
Netanyahu assumed prime ministership for the first time between 1996 and 1999, and the second time lasted for 12 consecutive years since 2009.
Netanyahu, 71, vowed in his last speech to the Knesset that his return would be “soon,” despite facing corruption charges that could lead him to prison. His disqualification means that he no longer enjoys any immunity.
On Sunday, US President Joe Biden congratulated Naftali Bennett on behalf of the American people, stressing his administration´s full commitment to working with the new Israeli government "to advance security, stability and peace for the Israelis, Palestinians, and peoples throughout the region
. Matters related to regional security, including Iran,” the White House confirmed.
European Council President Charles Michel, US Chancellor Angela Merkel, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also congratulated the new Israeli prime minister.
And on Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin wrote in a letter published by the Kremlin, addressing Bennett after congratulating him: “I hope that your work at the head of the government will facilitate a new phase of constructive bilateral cooperation in all fields,” considering that Russian-Israeli cooperation will enhance “peace, security and stability in the Middle East.” “.
On the Palestinian side, Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh said, “The test for any government in Israel for us is its commitment to ending the occupation and recognizing the historical and sovereign right of the Palestinians to an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.”
Shtayyeh confirmed what the Palestinian newspaper Al-Ayyam reported that Netanyahu´s program was based on destroying any possibility of establishing a Palestinian state.
As for the Palestinian Foreign Ministry, it said that describing the new Israeli government as “a government of change … is inaccurate unless the change is intended to remove Netanyahu.”
As for Bennett´s policies, the ministry wrote, "they will not change unless we see worse ones" from the Netanyahu period.
As for Bennett´s policies, the ministry wrote, "they will not change unless we see worse ones" from the Netanyahu period.
The new government coalition is based on rotation and will be headed by Yamina party leader for two years before handing over the position in August 2023 to Yair Lapid, who currently holds the foreign portfolio.
But the new fragile coalition faces several challenges, on top of which is the recovery of the economy after a major setback due to the outbreak of the Corona virus, in addition to the conflict with the Palestinians.
On Tuesday, far-right groups are organizing a controversial rally scheduled to reach occupied East Jerusalem, which has been witnessing almost daily protests for nearly two months.
The protests erupted in East Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank against the backdrop of the threat of forced displacement of Palestinian families from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in favor of settlement associations.
In Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, thousands took to the streets to celebrate the granting of confidence to the “change” government formed by centrist Yesh Atid or (There is a Future) party leader Yair Lapid in alliance with seven parties, two from the left, two from the center and three from the right, including the ultra-nationalist Yamina party Headed by Bennett, an Arab party is the Southern Islamic Movement.
Music blared in Rabin Square in central Tel Aviv, and one of them shouted through loudspeakers installed on the podium, "Baby, go home."
Chen Nefu, 49, who arrived with her children for the celebration late Sunday night, said she was "a bit shocked because we have waited so long for this moment." "They´re supposed to be sleeping now, but I think these are really important moments," she added, referring to her children.
