Issues@Hand

AFA initiatives, Christian activism, news briefs

Above, Naftali Bennett and Benjamin Netanyahu

September 2021 – On Sunday, June 13, Naftali Bennett was sworn in as Israel’s 13th prime minister, replacing the nation’s longest-running leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu. In a narrow vote of 60-59, Israel’s parliament elected Bennett and his unusual new coalition government.

Reuters described the coalition as “a hodgepodge of political parties that had little in common other than a desire to unseat veteran right-wing [Netanyahu].” The coalition is made up of traditionally vehement opponents from both the far Left and far Right, and even a small minority group of Islamic representatives.

A member of the ultranationalist Yamina Party, Bennett pulled off the political upset by agreeing to share his elected rule with Yair Lapid, a centrist and Netanyahu’s main political rival. Immediately following Bennett’s ceremonial transfer of power, Lapid was also sworn in to become Israel’s 14th prime minister. If the coalition holds together and Bennett carries out his promises, Lapid will succeed Bennett in 2023.

jpost.com, 6/14/21; reuters.com, 6/14/21;
foxnews.com, 6/14/21