Netanyahu Out As New Israeli Government Approved

Benjamin Netanyahu has lost his 12-year hold on power in Israel after its parliament voted in a new coalition government with right-wing nationalist Naftali Bennett being sworn in as prime minister.

Bennet who will be prime minister until September 2023 as part of a power-sharing deal, will lead an unprecedented coalition of parties which was approved with a razor-thin majority of 60-59.

He will then hand power over to Yair Lapid, leader of the centrist Yesh Atid, for a further two years.

Netanyahu – Israel’s longest-serving leader who has dominated its political landscape for years – will remain head of the right-wing Likud party and become leader of the opposition.

US President Joe Biden has already sent his congratulations to Mr Bennett, saying he looks forward to working with him.

Netanyahu served five terms, first from 1996 to 1999, then continuously from 2009 to 2021.

He called an election in April 2019 but failed to win enough support to form a new coalition government. Two more inconclusive elections followed.

After the third, he formed a government of national unity with then-opposition leader Benny Gantz, but the deal collapsed and Israel went back to the polls in March.

Likud emerged as the largest party, but after Mr Netanyahu was again unable to form a government, the task passed to Mr Lapid, whose party came second.

Opposition to Netanyahu staying in power had grown, not just among the left and centre but also among right-wing parties that are ordinarily ideologically aligned to Likud, including Yamina.