Netanyahu forms the most ultra-conservative government in Israeli history

Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday (21st) the formation of a government made up of ultra-Orthodox and far-right allies. He returned to power to head the most right-wing coalition in Israeli history.

Netanyahu’s party, Likud, finished the parliamentary elections held on 1 November as the first, and the fifth in the country in three and a half years.

In these elections, Likud won 32 seats in the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament, while its ultra-Orthodox allies 18 and the Religious Zionism alliance 14 – a record for the far right.

After the election, the president tasked Netanyahu with forming the government, and then began negotiations with his allies to distribute their ministry portfolios.

Facing corruption charges in court, Netanyahu, 73, was Israel’s longest-serving head of government. He ruled the country from 1996 to 1999 and then from 2009 to 2021.

In 2021, he lost to an ideologically dispersed coalition, from right-wing Jewish nationalists to Arab-Israeli politicians, and lost a year later.

The incoming prime minister had until December 11 to announce the new Director, but has requested a two-week extension, the maximum time required by law. President Herzog gave him only 10 more days.

Analysts consider the government to be the most right-wing in the country’s history, as it includes two ultra-Orthodox parties, United Torah Judaism (UJT) and Shass (Sephardic), and three far-right parties (Religious Zionism, Jewish Power). and Noam.

Distribution of positions

It was initially unclear when the new government would take power, although Netanyahu told Herzog he planned to do this “as soon as possible”.

The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah can delay the process. Parliament also has unfinished business and plans to pass legislation to overcome this hurdle. Netanyahu and his allies control 64 of the 120 seats.

Given Likud’s ideological affinity with its right-wing allies, Netanyahu was expected to form a government soon after the election, but talks dragged on. The prime minister then had to balance the demands of top cabinet positions, some of which he had to give up.

Shass party leader Aryeh Deri was promised home affairs and health portfolios, but Deri is unable to serve in the cabinet due to tax convictions, according to attorney general Gali Baharav-Miara.

One of his most controversial moves is his promise to hand over the Ministry of Homeland Security to Itamar Ben Gvir, head of the Jewish Power party, known for his criticism of Arabs.

Ben Gvir is also expected to take over the border police, which supports the military in annexed East Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank. He was accused of escalating tensions and urged security forces to use more force to quell Palestinian unrest.

(with information from AFP)