Benjamin Netanyahu’s several-year era came to an end on Sunday as the new coalition government, headed by Naftali Bennett, took office; The vote succeeded 60-59, leaving many speculating about how unified, if at all, this new government is going to be.
After serving for 12 years as the prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu was replaced on Sunday with the approval of the new coalition government headed by Naftali Bennett. The new government, consisting of a wide range of groups, including left, center, right, and Arab parties, was approved by a razor-thin margin of 60-59.
Netanyahu, who represented the Likud party, not only served for the last 12 years but also served a term from 1996-1999. Bennett emerged from the Yamina (or New Right) party and will serve as the new prime minister. His government has been dubbed the “government of change”.
Before the new government stepped into power, there were already concerns about how effective and unified it would be. The margin of approval is creating even more concern, as the only area of common ground appears to be the desire to remove Netanyahu from office. However, in his closing remarks toward Netanyahu, Bennett even acknowledged how many achievements Netanyahu is responsible for.
Israel partook in four elections over the last two years, all of which failed to determine a government. So now, Nationalist Bennett is to serve as prime minister until 2023, when leftist Yair Lapid will then assume control.
