Israel Unites to Overthrow Netanyahu, Knesset Confirms Naftali Bennett as New Coalition Prime Minister

After the old habits, Benjamin Netanyahu accidentally took the seat of prime minister in the Knesset after the announcement of the no-confidence vote. He had to go to the opposition bench. For the first time in Israeli history, Mr. Netanyahu has been dismissed as a leader. For now, it's not going anywhere. The Israeli leader of the last 12 years will try to break up the coalition. The largest government Israel has ever had could also destabilize Israel. Naftali Bennett will have a hard time keeping the sides together.

After parliament voted on the new government, Netanyahu lost control of power. Naftali Bennett, a right-wing nationalist, was sworn in as prime minister. He will lead an unprecedented coalition of parties, endorsed by small majorities. As part of the power-sharing agreement, Mr. Bennett will become prime minister until September 2023. Then Yair Lapid, the leader of the centrist Yesh Atid, will rule the country for another two years. Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving leader, who has dominated Israel's political landscape for years, will remain head of the right-wing Likud party and become the next leader of the opposition. During the debate in the Knesset, Mr. Netanyahu promised that they would return. After the vote, Netanyahu shook Mr. Bennett's hand.

Some parties want to promote gay rights, such as the recognition of same-sex marriage, while others are against it. Some parties want to loosen religious restrictions more than the national-religious party will allow. Mr. Bennett said his government will focus on areas where agreement is possible, such as economic issues or coronaviruses, while avoiding more controversial issues. He recently said that no one will have to give up on their ideology, but that everyone should postpone the realization of some of their dreams.

The new government did not react positively to the representatives of the Palestinians. This is not an external problem. A spokesman for the Palestinian president said the Palestinians wanted a state on the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital. The Hamas spokesperson said, "We must resist strongly to get our rights back because this is an occupation and colonial order."

US President Joe Biden has already sent his regards to Mr. Bennett, saying he looks forward to working with him.

From 1996 to 1999, Netanyahu served five terms, the last in 2011. After calling for elections in April, he did not receive enough support to form the new government. Two more elections were then made. After the third, he formed a national unity government with the opposition leader, but the deal broke down and Israel went to the elections again. Protesters gathered outside the parliament in Jerusalem for the vote. When Netanyahu was unable to form a government again, the task of forming the government was given to Mr. Lapid's party. Opposition to Mr. Netanyahu's stay in power had grown, not only between left and center but also among right-wing parties, which are normally aligned with Netanyahu's party. The support of Yamina, who was fifth in the election, was very important. After weeks of negotiations, Mr. Lapid took Yamina on board as part of a group of parties whose same aim was to dethrone Mr. Netanyahu. The deal was signed just half an hour before the deadline and nearly ended Netanyahu's chances of becoming the next prime minister. What will the new Israeli government do? Mr. Bennett's government will be very different from previous ones in Israel's 73 years of existence. The first independent Arab party to join a potential ruling coalition is part of the alliance. A record of nine female ministers is expected. The inclusion of Raam and left-wing Israeli parties means there can be disagreements over issues such as Israel's policies towards Palestinians and New Hope's support for the Jewish settlement on the Israeli-occupied west bank.