During a demonstration in front of the Knesset against the new Netanyahu coalition in Jerusalem December 29, 2022. AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP
Binyamin Netanyahu arrived at the Knesset on Thursday, December 29, a little late, barely managing to smile broadly. He had waited eighteen months for this return to power, made possible by his victory in the November 1st general election. A few hours later, his government, made up of thirty ministers, including just five women, won parliament’s confidence by 63 out of 120 votes. “I am beginning my sixteenth year as Prime Minister of Israel. (…) I’m not getting used to it, I’m excited this time too, ”he slipped when opening the first Council of Ministers that same evening. The head of government now has all the cards in his hand. Even US President Joe Biden, who shares little of the ideas of this new coalition, said he “looks forward to working with Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has been my friend for years.”
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This new cabinet, which brings together members of his party, the Likud, Jewish racists and ultra-Orthodox, gives pride of place to the extreme right and threatens to fundamentally change the nature of the Israeli political regime. “We have four main tasks: thwart Iran’s efforts to acquire a nuclear arsenal, restore security and sovereignty to Israel, combat the high cost of living and housing, and expand the circle of peace” by pursuing further normalization deals with Israel sign states in the region, the new prime minister said to his troops. Mr. Netanyahu hopes to quickly bring about a fruitful rapprochement with Saudi Arabia.
“sense of concern”
Thursday morning, however, it was during the heckling that the session in Parliament had begun. “Shame!”, “Low!” shouted several deputies from the former majority, banging on the tables. Six elected officials were expelled. “I hear the incessant cries of the opposition as if it were the end of the country and of democracy,” Herr quipped Netanyahu, who urged his opponents to “respect the voters’ decision,” drew a parallel with the attack on Capitol Hill by supporters of Donald Trump in the United States to challenge the transfer of power with Joe Biden.
Because the opposition drummed even outside the Knesset. Around 3,000 demonstrators – activists against the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, LGBT groups or “anti-Bibi” activists who do not want a prime minister to be tried for corruption – had gathered to protest against the new government , which they describe as “fascist”. Another rally was held in Tel Aviv in the evening at the call of LGBT movements after several homophobic remarks by members of the coalition.
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