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A furious alliance of Israeli parties on Sunday removed Benjamin Netanyahu, the nation’s longest-serving prime minister, and created a new government in a dramatic shift in the country’s tumultuous politics.
Naftali Bennett, a right-wing Jewish nationalist and former technology millionaire would take over at the wheel of the eight-party bloc, united only by their given contempt for the hawkish right-wing leader known as Bibi.
In a seismic shift in the turbulent politics in the country, Mr Bennett, a technological millionaire and former commander of the special forces, swore in at the helm of an ideologically divided bloc of eight parties united by contempt for the country’s longest-serving prime minister.
Mr Netanyahu, 71, in a typical belligerent style, promised shortly before his defeat that “if it is our destiny to be in opposition, we will do it with our head until we take down this bad government and return to the country. to lead our way “.
Loved as “King Bibi” and “Mr Security” condemned by his right-wing supporters and by his critics as the “Minister of Crime”, Mr Netanyahu has long been the dominant figure in Israeli politics.
But on Sunday, a vote in the Knesset legislature followed weeks of intense political drama ended his government with a razor-sharp majority of 60 to 59 in the 120-seat chamber.
The US congratulates the new prime minister.
US President Joe Biden called Mr Bennett quickly congratulated him.
“I look forward to working with Prime Minister Bennett to strengthen all aspects of the close and lasting relationship between our two nations. Israel has no better friend than the United States,” he said in a statement.
Cheerful revealers packed a square near the Knesset (parliament) in Jerusalem and flocked to downtown Tel Aviv to witness the fall of Mr To celebrate Netanyahu.
Crowds gathered in the coastal city, clapping, cheering and waving flags.
On Rabin Square in Tel Aviv, the opponents of Mr Netanyahu started their celebrations and waved posters with ‘Bye-bye Bibi’.
One of the protesters, Tal Surkis (19), acknowledged ‘mixed feelings about the incoming change coalition, but said ‘this is something Israel needs’.
Mr Before the vote, Bennett, 49, told the Knesset that his government “represents all of Israel”.
He said the country had been thrown “into a maelstrom of hatred and fighting” after four unconvincing elections in less than two years.
“The time has come for different leaders, from all sections of the population, to stop this madness,” he said, against angry cries of “liars” and “criminals” of right-wing opponents.
Fragile coalition
Mr Netanyahu, who is facing corruption charges in a trial he dismisses as a conspiracy, was the dominant Israeli politician of his generation and also served a previous term of three years in the 1990s.
His supporters praised him as a defender of Israel, which was Iran’s arch-enemy difficult, but also entered into a series of historic normalization agreements with Arab countries last year.
If he is removed from the leading position, Mr Netanyahu is more exposed to his legal woes, denying him the chance to pass legislation that could give him immunity.
Mr Bennett, a former defence minister under Netanyahu, has vowed to keep Israel safe from Iran, declaring that “Israel will not allow Iran to have nuclear weapons,” a goal the Islamic Republic denies.
Mr Netanyahu claims that Iran is “celebrating” the birth of a “dangerous”, weak left-wing government.
The diverse anti-Netanyahu bloc has been put together by secular centrist Yair Lapid, a previous TV presenter.
It crosses the political spectrum, with three right-wing, two centrists and two left-wing parties, and even an Arab Islamic Conservative party.
Mr Lapid, 57, served as foreign minister for the next two years before joining Mr. Bennett takes over.
Angela Merkel- German Chancellor, also congratulated Bennett on comments tweeted by her spokeswoman: “Germany and Israel are bound by a unique friendship that we want to further strengthen. to work.”
‘Fraud’
The unlikely alliance emerged weeks after an 11-day war between Israel and Hamas, the Islamic group that rules the Palestinian side of Gaza, and following inter-municipal violence in Israeli cities with a significant Arab population.
Mr. Netanyahu, a mastermind to advance Israel’s ominous politics, has tried in vain to peel off defectors, hoping to deprive the burgeoning coalition of its much-needed majority.
He told Mr. Bennett accused of ‘fraud’ for committing adultery. Furious marches by Prime Minister Likud supporters