Putting an end for Benjamin Netanyahu’s 12 unbroken years era of Prime Ministership, Knesset voted in favour of Naftali Bennett to replace him.
The Israeli Parliament, Knesset which consists of 120 members has expressed confidence in the newly formed 8-party coalition chosen leader, Naftali Bennett. With this, the Israeli Parliament has put an end for the country’s longest-serving prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu’s record of 12-years regime.
Newly elected Prime minister, Bennett is expected to stay on till 2023 after which Yair Lapid is expected to take over. On Friday, he stated –
The government will work for all the Israeli public — religious, secular, ultra-Orthodox, Arab — without exception, as one,
We will work together, out of the partnership and national responsibility, and I believe we will succeed.
WHO IS NAFTALI BENNETT?
Bennett leads the right-wing Yamina party. He is known as hardline religious-nationalist. The 49-year-old Naftali Bennett served as cabinet minister of diaspora affairs, education and defence minister in various Netanyahu-led governments, apart from being a former tech entrepreneur. He is a multi-millionaire.
He will be the first premier to lead Israel with a religious lifestyle openly by wearing a small skullcap, Kippa (usually worn by religious Jewish men). He is the son of American-born parents. He served in military, law school and private sector.
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He entered into politics because of the bitter experience of Israel’s 2006 war against the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
WHAT WILL CHANGE IN NAFTALI BENNETT GOVERNMENT?
The new government led by Bennett is likely be felt by bringing down the differences between Jews and Arabs and between ultra-Orthodox and secular Israelis. Also, he is expected to secure large budgets for housing, infrastructure and law enforcement in Arab communities.
BENNETT APPROACH TOWARDS PALESTINE
Bennett strongly supports Jewish settlements and expansion in West Bank and east Jerusalem. He opposes Palestinian independence and their demand for a separate Palestinian state.