New Israeli Government Seals Coalition Deals as Netanyahu Era Approaches Its End
Error: Contact form not found.
by Reuters and Algemeiner Staff

Defense Minister and leader of Blue and White party Benny Gantz speaks to Yamina leader Naftali Bennett during a special session of the Knesset whereby Israeli lawmakers elect a new president, at the plenum in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, in Jerusalem June 2, 2021. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun
The new Israeli government set to end Benjamin Netanyahu’s 12-year tenure as prime minister signed its final coalition agreements on Friday, pointedly including term limits.
The coalition of parties from far-right to left is expected to focus mostly on economic and social issues rather than risk exposing internal rifts by trying to address major diplomatic issues such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving leader, will be succeeded on Sunday by a coalition that includes for the first time a party from Israel’s Arab minority.
Under a power-sharing agreement, Naftali Bennett, of the ultra-nationalist Yamina (Rightwards) party, will serve as prime minister for two years.
Bennett on Friday said the coalition “brings to an end two and a half years of political crisis”, although it was unclear how long the coalition’s disparate elements would hold together. He will then hand over to Yair Lapid of the centrist Yesh Atid (There is a Future) party.
Among the agreements outlined by parties in what Lapid described as a “unity government” are:
* Limiting the prime minister’s term of office to two terms, or eight years.
* An infrastructure push to include new hospitals, a new university and a new airport.
* Passing a two-year budget to help stabilize the country’s finances — the prolonged political stalemate has left Israel still using a pro-rated version of a base 2019 budget that was ratified in mid-2018.
* Maintaining the “status-quo” on issues of religion and state, with Bennett’s Yamina party to have a veto. Possible reforms include breaking up an ultra-Orthodox monopoly on overseeing which foods are kosher, and decentralizing authority over Jewish conversions.
* An “overall plan for transportation” in the West Bank.
* A general goal to “ensure Israel’s interests” in areas of the West Bank under full Israeli control.
* Allocating more than 53 billion shekels ($16 billion) to improve infrastructure and welfare in Arab towns, and curbing violent crime there.
* Decriminalizing marijuana and moving to regulate the market.
Anti-Israel Billboard Truck Targets Haley Stevens With Dual-Loyalty Message
‘This Is Our Holy Mission’: Accused Hamas Financier Tied to Official Who Denied Oct. 7 Atrocities on Piers Morgan
Chile, Honduras Restore Ambassadors to Israel After Nearly Two Years of Diplomatic Strains Over Gaza War
Irish Government Removes Israeli-Made Navigation System From €53 Million State Jet in Latest Move Targeting Israel
US Supreme Court Allows For Enforcement of $656 Million Lawsuit Against PA and PLO
Anna Wintour Consulted With Jewish Leaders About Met Gala Honoree John Galliano’s Antisemitic Comments
Israel Secures Its First Medal Win at World Lacrosse Women’s Championship
Palestinian Authority Once Again Says That Martyrdom Is the Highest Ideal in Its Society
Antisemitism Now Speaks in Code — and We Need to Be Aware of Those Symbols and Phrases
We All Want Peace — But a Militarized Palestinian State That Allows Terrorism Will Not Lead to It





Anti-Israel Billboard Truck Targets Haley Stevens With Dual-Loyalty Message
Anna Wintour Consulted With Jewish Leaders About Met Gala Honoree John Galliano’s Antisemitic Comments
US Supreme Court Allows For Enforcement of $656 Million Lawsuit Against PA and PLO
Antisemitism Now Speaks in Code — and We Need to Be Aware of Those Symbols and Phrases
‘This Is Our Holy Mission’: Accused Hamas Financier Tied to Official Who Denied Oct. 7 Atrocities on Piers Morgan



