Netanyahu presents his new government, the most right-wing in the country’s history
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This Thursday, December 29, marks the investiture of Israel’s far-right coalition and, above all, the return to power of Benjamin Netanyahu. A crowd gathered in front of the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament, to protest against this new government, which was considered very right-wing and ultra-nationalist in its program. Fierce investment discussions continue in the Israeli parliament.
Israeli government present, his program before the Knesset, parliament and Israeli MPs this Thursday later gave him confidence. Only 63 out of 120 members of the Knesset voted in favor of Netanyahu’s Likud party government. [droite], two ultra-Orthodox and three far-right parties. 53 deputies opposed it. Later, Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in as Prime Minister.
This is the confidence given to the government despite the anger of several close relatives of the prime minister who did not get the coveted posts. Discussions in the Knesset heated up. Our correspondent in Jerusalem says that Benjamin Netanyahu had difficulty making his voice heard. Michael Paul. Several tenors of the new opposition were expelled from the hemisphere.
Transfer of power between Yair Lapid and Benjamin Netanyahu
As soon as the discussions were over, the government members held the first meeting of the Council of Ministers. A kind of connection. Soon after, Netanyahu and his predecessor, Yair Lapid, also met to hand over. “ I am not calm crossing the reins of the country “, – emphasized Yair Lapid, the outgoing head of government. He called his successor a weak person against ultra-extremist partners.
Binyamin Netanyahu has set three main goals for his government. The first is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons by all means. Israel’s ruling coalition also wants to significantly develop technological infrastructure in the country. Another goal emphasized by Netanyahu is to continue and expand the Abrahamic accords with new normalization agreements with Arab countries to resolve the conflict in the Middle East again, according to the Israeli prime minister.
The traditional family photo of the new government, the most extremist the country has known since its inception, around Israeli President Isaac Herzog is expected this Thursday, December 29 evening.
Loved ones left behind
Several of Benjamin Netanyahu’s most loyal relatives have been sidelined in his new government, angering Likud.
Benjamin Netanyahu first announced that he had appointed Yoav Galant, a relative of Mr. Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party, as defense minister. 64-year-old and former commander Yoav Galant has already held several ministerial posts in other governments of Binyamin Netanyahu. Former Israeli intelligence minister Eli Cohen, who played an important role in the normalization of relations between Israel and Arab countries, was appointed the head of Israeli diplomacy on Thursday. As Minister of Justice, Yariv Levin – who was appointed by Benjamin Netanyahu – became interim speaker of the Knesset from mid-December 2022 and resigned from his position on December 27.
A new chairman of the Knesset was also elected. To allay the fears of the LGBT community, the prime minister offered the position to former minister Amir Ohana, who is himself openly gay.
Protesters in front of the Knesset
Demonstration outside the parliament to express frustration and concern. ” Government of shame the demonstrators shout. They were several thousand outside the Knesset to protest during the investment debate of the new coalition. A big concern for the future. Demonstrator Edna, who came with her family, did not hide her concern: ” I hope it doesn’t get any worse. This is terrible. That’s all I can say, and that’s what’s happening in Israel. I’m surprised that people on the Likud side, who follow Binyamin Netanyahu like sheep, accept this as normal. Like a sheep indeed. »
A rally against peace, freedoms, religious violence at the call of about 40 Israeli civil society organizations; and also activists from LGBT organizations. For Rimmon, this is the end of Israel as he knows it: The coalition that formed the government is impossible… It is racist, anti-democratic. They said that Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East, but now they will apply Hungarian or Polish rules here in Israel.. »
A government that is not viewed very favorably by the Palestinians
So far, there is no reaction from the Palestinian Authority or Hamas. But on December 24, before the final composition of the new government was known, the Palestine Liberation Organization warned ” an unprecedented escalation especially in the confiscation of Palestinian lands. On the streets of Ramallah, on the other hand, it’s a day almost like any other, our correspondent in Ramallah reports. Alice Froussard. Everyone is aware of Israel’s new government, but few see it as real change.
” An occupation is an occupation, all Israeli governments have been extremists, they are all interconnected, and there has never been a government of peace. “, criticizes the customer of the fruit and vegetable store. The seller, on the other hand, fears greater repression, more restrictions, the strengthening of colonialism, the use of force. The heart of the program of the new coalition.
Although this year has been the deadliest for Palestinians since 2006, some are calling for unity among the deeply divided Palestinian people in the face of a most extremist government bent on harming them only. Some optimists are waiting to see how the international community will react.
(And with AFP)
