Netanyahu ousted as Israeli lawmakers approve new government

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was ousted from office on Sunday when Israeli lawmakers voted to install a new government.

It will the the first time in 12 years the country will be led by someone other than Netanyahu. 

Israel’s parliament approved the new power-sharing government led by Naftali Bennett, the Orthodox leader of Israel’s religious-nationalist movement and a former Netanyahu aide, in a close vote of confidence, 60-59 with one abstention, according to The New York Times.

The vote brings an end to Netanyahu’s long reign in Israel and marks the culmination of four elections the country has held in two years that failed to conclusively determine a ruling majority.

Netanyahu’s Likud-run government will now be replaced with a hodgepodge of Israeli parties that came together around the prospect of removing the sitting prime minister, despite their limited agreement on a number of policy issues.

The effort to oust Netanyahu by stitching together a coalition was spearheaded by Yair Lapid, the leader of the centrist Yesh Atid party.

His party teamed up with a number of right-wing parties, including Bennett’s Yamina party, in addition to the Raam party, which will now become the first Arab party to be part of a ruling coalition.

“We are incapable of sitting together — what is happening to us?” Bennett said during the meeting of parliament over boos and catcalls, according to The Washington Post.

“I am proud of sitting with people with who have very different opinions. We have decided to take responsibility,” he added.

Netanyahu in a tweet shortly after the vote vowed to return, and told his supporters to not let their spirit fall.

זה ערב חג באולפני הטלוויזיה אבל ערב לא קל למיליוני אזרחי ישראל. אני מבקש מכם: אל תיפול רוחכם. אנחנו נחזור – ומהר יותר ממה שאתם חושבים.

— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) June 13, 2021

Lapid, who will serve as prime minister in two years after Naftali as part of the coalition’s platform, celebrated the change in a tweet Sunday.

בשביל הילדים שלנו. בשבילכם אזרחי ישראל. באנו לשנות!

— יאיר לפיד – Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) June 13, 2021

President Biden on Sunday spoke with Bennett and offered his “warm congratulations,” according to a White House readout of the call between the two leaders. The White House said Biden “highlighted his decades of steadfast support for the U.S.-Israel relationship and his unwavering commitment to Israel’s security.”

He also “expressed his firm intent to deepen cooperation between the United States and Israel on the many challenges and opportunities facing the region,” and said his administration plans to “work closely” with Israel’s government on efforts to “advance peace, security, and prosperity for Israelis and Palestinians.”

“The leaders agreed that they and their teams would consult closely on all matters related to regional security, including Iran,” the readout added.

Biden also congratulated Bennett, Lapid and the members of the new Israeli cabinet in a statement shortly after the vote on Sunday, and said his administration is “fully committed” to working with the new Israeli government on a list of issues, including advancing security, stability and peace for Israelis, Palestinians and others living in the region.

“On behalf of the American people, I congratulate Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, and all the members of the new Israeli cabinet. I look forward to working with Prime Minister Bennett to strengthen all aspects of the close and enduring relationship between our two nations,” Biden said in a statement. 

“Israel has no better friend than the United States. The bond that unites our people is evidence of our shared values and decades of close cooperation and as we continue to strengthen our partnership, the United States remains unwavering in its support for Israel’s security,” Biden added.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in his own statement following the vote, said the U.S. “warmly welcomes the announcement” of Israel’s new government.

“We look forward to working closely with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, and the new Israeli cabinet,” Blinken continued.

“The United States will continue to work with Israel to advance the cause of peace, and we remain unwavering in our commitment to Israel’s security. We look forward to strengthening all aspects of the U.S.-Israel partnership and working together for a more secure and prosperous future,” he added.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin extended a congratulations to Benjamin Gantz on becoming Israel’s defense minister, a position he also held under the Netanyahu administration.

“Secretary Austin looks forward to continuing the important cooperation and dialogue with Minister Gantz to deepen the U.S.-Israel strategic partnership,” Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said in a statement.

“The U.S. commitment to Israel’s security remains ironclad,” he added.

Updated at 4:42 p.m.