Knock! Israeli Parliament Agrees To Remove Benjamin Netanyahu, Appoints Naftali Bennett

Naftali Bennet (Wikimedia Commons/The Israel Project) and Benjamin Netanyahu (Wikimedia Commons/U.S. Department of State).

JAKARTA - The Israeli parliament agreed by a narrow margin of 60-59 in the formation of a new government, Sunday, June 13 local time with Naftali Bennett to be appointed Prime Minister for two years, to be replaced by coalition leader Yair Lapid.

It marked the end of Benjamin Netanyahu's 12 years in power and the uncertainty of four Israeli elections, with parties joining the coalition successfully getting parliament to approve a new government of change.

However, the tipping vote in coalitions of left-, centre-right, right-wing and Arab parties with little in common except a desire to oust Netanyahu, suggests the possible fragility of the coalition.

In Tel Aviv, thousands of people cheered the results of forming a new government, after four inconclusive elections in two years.

"I'm here celebrating the end of an era in Israel. We want them to succeed and unite us again," said Erez Biezuner in Rabin Square, as supporters of the new government waving flags sang and danced around him.

But the aggressive Benjamin Netanyahu, 71, said he would return sooner than expected.

"If we are destined to be in opposition, we will do so with our heads held high until we can overthrow him," he told parliament before Bennett was sworn in.

The new government largely plans to avoid major moves on hot international issues such as policy towards Palestine, to focus on Israel's domestic reforms.

Palestinians, unmoved by the change of government, predict that Bennett, the former defense chief who advocated annexing parts of the occupied West Bank, will pursue the same right-wing agenda as leader of Netanyahu's Likud party.

Under the coalition deal, Bennett, a 49-year-old Orthodox Jew, and high-tech millionaire will be succeeded as prime minister in 2023 by Yair Lapid, 57, a former popular television host.

With Yamina's far-right party winning only six of the 120 parliamentary seats in the last election, Bennett's rise to the post of prime minister was a political shock.

Interrupted by the relentless screams of liars and embarrassment from Netanyahu loyalists in parliament, Bennett thanked the former prime minister for his long and accomplished service.

Interestingly, Bennett was the chief of staff and defense minister in the cabinet led by Netanyahu. Although both right-wing groups, Bennett refused to join Netanyahu after the March 23 election.