Jerusalem: Israel’s new government was sworn in on Sunday under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, bringing an end to the longest political deadlock in the country’s history which saw a caretaker government in charge for over 500 days and three back-to-back general elections with no clear verdict.
The vote of confidence in the new government was passed with 73 votes in favour and 46 against in the Knesset or the Parliament.
Netanyahu, who succeeded in forming a unity government with his rival-turned-partner Benny Gantz of the Blue and White party after failing to secure a clear mandate in the elections, will have the most bloated ministry in Israel’s history with 36 ministers and 16 deputy ministers.
“Stability is acquired with broad governments,” 70-year-old Netanyahu told Army Radio, immediately after the swearing-in ceremony.
Gantz was sworn in as defense minister and alternate prime minister, to replace Netanyahu in 18 months as per the controversial power-sharing deal.
The new ministers include the first female ultra-Orthodox minister, Omer Yankelevich (Diaspora affairs), and the first Ethiopia-born minister, Pnina Tamano-Shata (Immigration and absorption), in Israel’s history.
The Knesset also elected Yariv Levin, from Netanyahu’s Likud party, as its new Speaker.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid lashed out at the new government and particularly at his old associates, Gantz and Gabi Ashkenazi, who broke their pre-poll alliance to join hands with Netanyahu. “Two IDF (Israel Defence Forces) Chiefs of Staff surrendered to a man with three serious criminal indictments,” Lapid said in reference to his former associates Gantz and Ashkenazi, who would be serving as the foreign minister.
“You are swearing loyalty today to a man who in a week will start a criminal trial for breach of trust, for bribery and for fraud. In the real world you don’t let your children play with a man like that.
In this building, he is the Prime Minister,” he said at the Knesset in scathing comments against the new government.
Netanyahu has been indicted in three criminal cases and faces trial that is set to begin on May 24. (PTI)
