Limor Simhony Philpott

Can Naftali Bennett’s anti-Bibi coalition survive?

Sunday saw a watershed moment in Israeli politics: Bibi Netanyahu was removed from power after 12 years, and his government replaced by an eclectic coalition headed by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, both of whom will serve as Prime Minister under a rotation agreement, starting with Bennett. It may be that one of Bibi’s greatest achievements was bringing together politicians with little in common but the belief that it was time for Bibi to go.

Anyone watching the vote to approve the new government would have been on the edge of their seat: the new government was approved by a single vote (passed 60 to 59). The vote was preceded by a speech from would-be PM Bennett, who was constantly interrupted by Likud and other right-wing and orthodox Knesset members, who heckled and cursed him. Bibi was one of the few people in the room wearing a mask, so his expression couldn’t be seen – but the look in his eyes was telling of the storm within.

The Bennett/Lapid government has the mammoth task of implementing policies in key areas neglected for years by Bibi’s government, mending deep divisions in Israeli society, managing security threats, and doing all this while maintaining the integrity and stability of a shaky coalition.

Bennett has the mammoth task of implementing policies in areas neglected by Bibi’s government for years

The coalition is made up of eight parties representing the left (and hard-left), right (and hard-right), centre and an Islamist Arab Israeli party. To prevent it from falling apart, the factions decided to concentrate on issues on which there are widespread agreement, and stay clear of the most contentious subjects for the time being. These include the settlements and negotiations with the Palestinians. It is likely that nothing dramatic will happen on either, with all the parties aiming to maintain the status quo.

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