Israel: Netanyahu Forms Right-Wing Religious Government

Israel’s longtime prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has declared victory shortly before a deadline to form a new government. In future he wants to rule the country with a right-wing religious coalition.

Israel’s Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu has succeeded in forming a right-wing religious coalition government. It was announced to President Isaac Herzog by the leader of the right-wing conservative Likud party, shortly before a deadline, a spokesman confirmed.

Netanyahu is now pushing for a new government to take office soon. If possible, this should happen within the next week. Formally, the new government should take office by January 2.

In his conversation with Herzog, Netanyahu reiterated that the future government would “take care of all citizens of Israel.” The President also emphasized the need to work for all walks of life. “I hope all of you will get involved in this work,” Herzog was quoted as saying by the dpa news agency.

Right-wing extremists are involved in the government

Negotiations between prospective allies were still ongoing. For the first time in Israel’s history, far-right forces will also be included in the government. In addition to Netanyahu’s right-wing conservative Likud party, the far-right Religious-Zionist Alliance and two strictly religious parties will be represented in the coalition. It is the most right-wing government Israel has ever had.

The new government wants to implement far-reaching political changes that could play into Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption probe. A number of controversial legal changes have already been introduced as a precondition for a coalition agreement.

The alliance after the fifth election in a short period of time

Netanyahu’s camp won 64 out of 120 seats in the November 1 election. Then he had 28 days to form a new government. This deadline was again extended by ten days.

This is Israel’s fifth election in three and a half years. The former long-serving prime minister returns to power after a year and a half in opposition. In the history of Israel, no one has held office longer than him.

The 73-year-old right-wing conservative politician was prime minister from 1996 to 1999 and then continued as prime minister from 2009 to 2021. His replacement last year was considered the end of the Netanyahu era. However, the eight-party coalition of his successors broke up in June due to internal strife. Outgoing Prime Minister Jair Lapid’s Liberal Future Party came second with 24 seats.

Coalition announces radical plan

Bezalel Smodrich, Netanyahu’s far-right ally, announced a radical plan ahead of the election. Case against Netanyahu can cause He wants to significantly weaken the judicial system.

Smodrich is also considered a staunch supporter of settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank. In the future, his party should have long-term influence over the administration of the West Bank and strive to legalize more settlements.

The new government also wants to introduce what is known as a coping clause. This allows a majority of the Knesset to pass laws, even if the Supreme Court deems them unconstitutional. Experts warn that implementation would effectively abolish separation of powers Israel’s democracy will suffer. In the past, the right-wing religious camp has repeatedly accused the court of interfering in its functioning and political decisions.