Netanyahu's tenure ends after record 12-year run, Naftali Bennett becomes Israel’s new PM; PM Modi congratulates

 

In his speech, Bennett, said: "This is not a day of mourning. There is a change of government in a democracy. That's it. We will do all we can so that no one should have to feel afraid... And I say to those who intend to celebrate tonight, don't dance on the pain of others. We are not enemies; we are one people."

 

 

 

This comes after, the leader of the Centrist Yesh Atid Party, Yair Lapid, announced an eight-faction coalition to have been formed. The new coalition will comprise the entire ideological spectrum ranging from ultranationalists, centrists, left-wing and Arab-Israeli parties. Ra’am, an Islamist party, will be a part of the proposed coalition. This will be the first time an Arab party will join a Zionist government.

 

Now, Israel will also have two prime ministers. Bennett will serve as prime minister for two years, he will then hand power over to Yair Lapid, leader of the centrist Yesh Atid, for a further two years.

 

Netanyahu - widely known as `Bibi', he was Israel`s longest-serving leader. Bibi served five terms, first from 1996 to 1999, then continuously from 2009 to 2021. Shortly before his defeat at the Knesset, Netanyahu had said that "if it's our destiny to be in the opposition, we'll do so with our heads high until we take down this bad Government and return to lead the country our way."

 

 

Bennett had served as a senior aide of Netanyahu between 2006 and 2008. He left Netanyahu’s Likud party, however, after his relationship with the Prime Minister soured.

 

Bennett, who is ideologically perceived to be to the right of Netanyahu, is known for being a strong advocate of the Jewish nation-state, and for insisting on Jewish historical and religious claims to the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights, territory near the Israel-Syria border that Israel has occupied since the 1967 war

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Naftali Bennett on being sworn in as Israel's new prime minister and conveyed his profound gratitude to Benjamin Netanyahu. He further said he looked forward to meeting him and deepening their countries strategic partnership.

 

 

 

Apart from PM Modi, US President Joe Biden congratulated Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and said he is looking forward to working with him.“On behalf of the American people, I congratulate Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, and all the members of the new Israeli cabinet. I look forward to working with Prime Minister Bennett to strengthen all aspects of the close and enduring relationship between our two nations,” said Biden