Even before the swearing-in, Netanyahu passes the very controversial law change by a hair’s breadth: skiers on the Arlberg are lucky – video shows avalanche

Even before their scheduled swearing-in, the right-wing religious government of incoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushed through a highly controversial law change. After hours of debate, 63 of the 120 MPs voted in favor and 55 against on Tuesday morning.

The amendment should allow the leader of the strictly religious Shas party, Arie Deri, to become interior minister despite a conviction for tax violations. In addition, Bezalel Smotrich of the Religious Zionist Party can also get a ministerial post at the Ministry of Defense in addition to the position of Minister of Finance.

Smotrich is considered a staunch supporter of settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank. In the future, he should also influence the administration of the West Bank and the lives of the Palestinians. Smotrich wants to legalize more Israeli settlements.

The new government will be sworn in on Thursday. Before then, the powers of the Minister of National Security will be expanded through a new amendment to the law. The far-right politician Itamar Ben-Gvir gets the post. In addition to the police, he should also be responsible for the border police in the West Bank after the amendment to the law.

Outgoing Defense Secretary Benny Gantz warned of a further escalation of violence and carnage in the region given the changes.

After his election victory on November 1, Netanyahu, 73, managed to form a right-wing religious coalition. His government is planning far-reaching legislative changes and a targeted weakening of the judiciary. Experts say the changes could also lead to an end to the ongoing corruption trial against Netanyahu.

Israel’s outgoing Prime Minister Jair Lapid said after the previous law changes that the new government had proved to be “the most corrupt of all time” even before being sworn in. (saw/sda/dpa)