LIVEBLOG: Benjamin Netanyahu returns to power as Israel swears in new government
Benjamin Netanyahu returns to the premiership with the most right-wing government in Israel's history
Israel's longest-serving leader, Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu, returns to power with his far-right and ultra-Orthodox coalition government being sworn in on Thursday, amid backlash.
The day before, the Jewish state's incoming prime minister published the guiding principles and general program of his new coalition, which he presented to the parliament (Knesset) for a confidence vote, in which a majority of coalition members voted in favor, officially swearing in Netanyahu's government - Israel's 37th.
Ukraine’s Zelensky says he is ready for close ties with Jerusalem
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was ready to work closely with Israel on achieving “victory over evil,” congratulating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on his recently sworn in government.
“I wish success on the way to the welfare & security of Israel,” Zelensky tweeted, confirming Ukraine's "readiness for close cooperation to strengthen our ties & confront common challenges, achieve prosperity & victory over evil.”
Israelis protest outside of Knesset
Thursday was an important, eventful day inside and outside Israel’s parliament in Jerusalem – inside, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government was sworn in, while thousands of people gathered outside to protest the Jewish state’s most right-wing coalition it has ever seen.
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Ministers of Israel's 37th gov gather for family photo
Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet of 30 ministers convened at the President’s Residence for a traditional photo with President Isaac Herzog to mark the new government being formed.
Netanyahu to cabinet: 'We are united,' Iran top priority
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his first cabinet meeting that the government will be one without divisions, saying, "We are united in our goal."
He laid out the government’s main priorities: “Stopping Iran, returning security and governance, dealing with the cost of living, and dramatically expanding the circle of peace,” which refers to Israel’s normalization deals with regional countries.
Biden: 'I look forward to working with' Netanyahu, but will 'oppose policies that endanger' two-state solution
In a statement released shortly after Israel's newest government was sworn in, U.S. President said he was looking "forward to working with Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has been my friend for decades, to jointly address the many challenges and opportunities facing Israel and the Middle East region, including threats from Iran."
"The United States is working to promote a region that's increasingly integrated, prosperous, and secure, with benefits for all of its people," the statement continued. "From the start of my administration, we have worked with partners to promote this more hopeful vision of a region at peace, including between Israelis and Palestinians. We aim to continue this important work with Israel's new government. And as we have throughout my administration, the United States will continue to support the two-state solution and oppose policies that endanger its viability or contradict our mutual interests and values."
Shas minister signs order ‘canceling’ kashrut reform law
Hebrew media reports claimed that new Religious Services Minister Michael Malchieli wasted no time in signing an order canceling the kosher certification reform passed by the last government.
The reform, passed by the Knesset last year, was slated to enable private organizations to provide supervision services — with oversight by the Rabbinate — starting in 2023.
Netanyahu, Lapid meet
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a brief meeting between him and his predecessor Yair Lapid was “good, comprehensive, and to the point," in a handover meeting that ran some 45 minutes.
Netanyahu added that meetings with Israel's new opposition leader will continue on a monthly basis, “as we had done.”
Russia's Putin welcomes return to power of Israel's Netanyahu
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday welcomed the return of Benjamin Netanyahu as head of the Israeli government, noting an intention to strengthen cooperation with Israel, the Kremlin said.
"I hope that the new government under your leadership will continue the line of strengthening Russian-Israeli cooperation in all areas for the benefit of our peoples, in the interest of ensuring peace and security in the Middle East," Putin said in a message to Netanyahu, quoted in the statement.
Ben-Gvir says he will mellow on some stances
Speaking to Channel 12 News, Itamar Ben-Gvir, the far-right, firebrand new national security minister said he will work for all Israelis, seeking to soften his hardline image.
“We came to serve everyone. I will be a minister for everyone. For Jews and Arabs, who are suffering too, from crime,” he said. Asked about his support for anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, he noted his friendship with new Knesset speaker Amir Ohana, the first openly gay lawmaker to hold the post.
“Nobody wants to exclude anyone, not LGBTQ, nobody."
Swearing-in ceremony ends
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said it started to move from the office of the opposition chief to the Prime Minister’s Office.
The new ministers of Israel’s 37th government have all been sworn in now, and today’s Knesset session has ended.
U.S. envoy to Israel congratulates Netanyahu
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Members of Knesset sworn in
Members of Knesset of Israel's incoming government were officially sworn in, each giving brief speeches
Netanyahu formally becomes Israel's prime minister
Knesset approves Israel’s 37th government, Netanyahu’s 6th term
Incoming prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu officially swore in Israel’s 37th government after 63 of the 64 coalition members voted in favor in a vote of confidence.
Profile - Aryeh Deri: The experienced politician
Aryeh Deri, a major figure on the religious right, is the leader and one of the founders of the Orthodox Sephardi party Shas. He is the most experienced of Benjamin Netanyahu's ministers, described as intelligent and relatively moderate, even by his political opponents.
Click here for a full picture of Deri.
Amir Ohana elected as Knesset Speaker - becomes first LGBTQ+ person to take role
Shortly before the confidence vote to inaugurate Israel’s 37th government, Likud member Amir Ohana was elected as the Israeli parliament's next speaker.
A former justice minister and public security minister, Ohana is the Knesset’s first openly gay speaker.
Avi Maoz says he isn’t targeting LGBTQ+ community
Noam party leader Avi Maoz spoke at the Knesset plenum ahead of becoming a deputy minister in charge of a “Jewish identity” body, claiming reports about his party making lists of gay media professionals and “leftist” Justice Ministry staff are no more than an attempt by the media to “defame, demonize, and shame” him.
He said has nothing against individual LGBTQ+ people and is only acting against “LGBT-ism as an agenda and as a political movement."
The official list of the 29 ministers who will make up the new government:
1. Prime Minister - Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud)
2. Minister of Defense - Yoav Galant (Likud)
3. Finance Minister - Bezalel Smotrich (Religious Zionism)
4. Minister of Foreign Affairs - Eli Cohen (Likud)
5. Minister of Interior and Health - Arieh Deri (Shas)
6. Minister of Justice and Intelligence - Yariv Levin (Likud)
7. Minister of National Security - Itamar Ben-Gvir (Jewish Power)
8. Minister of Housing, Jerusalem Affairs - Yitzhak Golknopf (United Torah Judaism)
9. Minister of Education and Regional Cooperation - Yoav Kish (Likud)
10. Minister of Social Affairs - Yaakov Margi (Shas)
11. Minister of Negev and Galilee - Yitzhak Wasserlauf (Jewish Power)
12. Minister of Religious Services - Michael Malchiali (Shas)
13. Minister of Absorption and Aliyah – Ofir Sofer (Religious Zionism)
14. Minister of National Missions - Orit Strock (Religious Zionism)
15. Heritage Minister - Amichai Eliyahu (Jewish Power)
16. Minister of Strategic Issues - Ron Dermer (Likud)
17. Transport Minister - Miri Regev (Likud)
18. Minister of Energy - Israel Katz (Likud)
19. Minister of Economy - Nir Barkat (Likud)
20. Minister of Communications - Shlomo Karai (Likud)
21. Minister of Tourism - Haim Katz (Likud)
22. Minister of Culture - Miki Zohar (Likud)
23. Minister of Environmental Protection - Idit Silman (Likud)
24. Minister of Agriculture - Avi Dichter (Likud)
25. Minister of Science and Technology - Ofir Akunis (Likud)
26. Minister of Diasporas and Social Equality - Amichai Chikli (Likud)
27. Additional Minister of Social Affairs - Yoav Ben-Tzur (Shas)
28. Additional Minister of Education - Haim Biton (Shas)
29. Minister of Intelligence - Gila Gamliel (Likud)
30. Minister in the Prime Minister's Office - Galit Distal (Likud)
Click here to learn Who's who in Israel's new government
Israeli envoy to France resigns in protest of incoming government
Israel’s Ambassador to France, Yael German, sent a letter to incoming prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announcing that she is resigning from her post in Paris.
“Sadly,” German wrote, “the government you established and lead includes representatives of parties whose extreme positions are expressed in its guidelines, in its policies, and in statements on legislation — illegitimate legislation in my eyes — it intends to pass.”
Watch: i24NEWS speaks with Likud member Boaz Bismuth about new government