It is the most right-wing government Israel has ever had. For the first time, far-right politicians are also represented in the coalition.
Former longtime Prime Minister Netanyahu returns to power after a year and a half. In Israel’s history, no one has been in office longer than the 73-year-old. It is the sixth government that forms the leader of the right-wing conservative Likud party.
The new government has 64 of the 120 seats in parliament. Half of them belong to Netanyahu’s Likud, the other half to the far-right Religious-Zionist Alliance and two strictly religious parties. The coalition wants to implement far-reaching political changes and, in particular, weaken the judiciary. Experts say the changes could also lead to the halting of the ongoing corruption trial against Netanyahu.
Netanyahu repeatedly insists that he will set the agenda himself and will not be steered by his radical partners. Even before the swearing-in, a whole series of controversial legislative changes were pushed through in parliament. These were seen as a condition for the joint coalition agreement.
Several controversial politicians are given ministerial posts. A law has been amended especially for the chairman of the strictly religious Schas party, Arie Deri, so that he can become Minister of the Interior despite his conviction for tax offences. Bezalel Smotrich of the far-right Religious Zionist Party will be appointed to the Ministry of Defense in addition to the position of Treasury Secretary.
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.
Government guidelines published on Wednesday said the coalition also wants to continue expanding settlements in areas the Palestinians claim for a future state. “The Jewish people have the sole and inalienable right to all parts of the Land of Israel,” it reads. “The government will promote and develop the settlement of all parts of Israel – in Galilee, in the Negev desert, in the Golan Heights and in Judea and Samaria (West Bank).”
Itamar Ben-Gvir, previously convicted of supporting a terrorist organization, becomes Minister of National Security. In addition to the police, he should also be responsible for the border police in the West Bank after a change in the law.
Outgoing Defense Secretary Benny Gantz warned of a further escalation of violence and carnage in the region given the changes.
In view of racist and homophobic statements by future coalition partners, resistance is already arising from various layers of the population. There were protests from representatives of the IT industry, companies, the Air Force and doctors.
Netanyahu’s predecessor, Jair Lapid of the liberal Future Party, said after the law changes that the new government had turned out to be “the most corrupt of all time” even before being sworn in.
(SDA)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
