Israel’s parliament has sworn in Naftali Bennet as the country’s newest prime minister, bringing an end to Benjamin Netanyahu’s 12-year reign.
In what is the narrowest of margins, Bennet won the confidence movement with 60 votes to 59 votes.
Israel has been in a game of political deadlock for the past several years, and Bennet’s victory follows four elections in the space of two years.
Bennet says “I am proud of the ability to sit together with people with very different views from my own, twice in history, we have lost our national home precisely because the leaders of the generation were not able to sit with one and another and compromise.”
Welcomed change of direction
Bennet’s incoming coalition is made up of eight separate political parties and is considered the most diverse leadership group Israel has ever seen.
Tel Aviv is partying hard tonight. Many of these revelers have never really known a prime minister other than Netanyahu. pic.twitter.com/iVgDFGBALu
— Noga Tarnopolsky (@NTarnopolsky) June 13, 2021
Ticker's resident political commentator Bruce Wolpe says this new Government will have a principle focus on Iran.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett spoke this evening by telephone with US President @JoeBiden .
— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 13, 2021
The Prime Minister thanked @POTUS Biden for his warm wishes on the inauguration of the new government, and for his long-standing commitment to the State of Israel and its security. pic.twitter.com/RdRQsD9ILN
“The focus on Israeli government will principally be Iran,”
Wolpe told ticker news
Wolpe continues on to say that “a source of contention” will surround the threat Iran poses to Israel and opposing the negotiated deal presented by President Biden.
“I think there is also going to be focus on changes in the Israeli society and the direction it takes at home,” Wolpe says.
“Just given the turmoil in the past two years… this will unleash Israel’s economic power.”
