Most right-wing government in Israel’s history has taken office

The new Israeli government is installed, with Benjamin Netanyahu once again prime minister. He will lead the most right-wing and religiously conservative government in the country’s 74-year history.

Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party knew this in November come out as the big winner of the parliamentary elections. Although he has been tried for corruption, he could return as prime minister. Netanyahu was head of government from 1996 to 1999 and from 2009 to 2021. He will govern with ultra-nationalist and ultra-Orthodox Jewish religious parties.

Israelis are deeply divided over Netanyahu, who has been accused of fraud and bribery in three corruption cases. He denies all allegations and claims he is the victim of a witch hunt by hostile media, police and prosecutors.

His new government wants to expand settlements in the West Bank, provide subsidies to Netanyahu’s ultra-Orthodox allies and implement sweeping reforms to the judicial system. Critics say the changes undermine the country’s democratic institutions.

The new government’s plans have drawn criticism from the military, LGBTI advocacy groups, businesses and others. Hundreds of protesters gathered today in front of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament. “We don’t want fascists in the Knesset,” they sang. Crowds of people blocked access to a major intersection and highway in Tel Aviv.

The new Netanyahu government is also viewed with concern abroad: US President Biden has called Netanyahu “a friend of decades”. Biden said he looks forward to working with the prime minister on the “many challenges Israel faces, including the threat from Iran.”

But he added that the United States “continues to support the two-state solution (with a viable Palestinian state in addition to Israel, ed.) and opposes policies that jeopardize its feasibility” or are contrary to our mutual interests and values. “.

In a session of parliament before being sworn in, Netanyahu addressed his critics in a speech, accusing the opposition of scaring the public. “I constantly hear cries from the opposition about the end of the country and of democracy,” he said. “But, members of the opposition, losing the election is not the end of democracy, it is the essence of democracy.” The Prime Minister’s speech was repeatedly interrupted by boos and catcalls from his opponents.

Yair Lapid, the outgoing prime minister turned leader of the opposition, told parliament he was leaving “a country in very good condition” for the new government. “Don’t try to break it. We’ll be back soon,” Lapid said.