Benjamin Netanyahu’s party signs first coalition deal with Israeli far-right party
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Hashim Sheikh
- . November 25, 2022
- . Update: November 25, 2022 3:48 pm
Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu’s party signed the first coalition deal with the far-right party on Friday, according to reports.
Likud, a major centre-right to the right-wing political party in Israel, signed the deal with the far-right Jewish Power party Otzma Yehudit. Likud announced the signing of the deal on Friday.
Reportedly, the deal does not account for a final new government in Israel. However, it gives Itamar Ben-Gvir, a Member of the Israeli Knesset, a seat in the security cabinet.
According to the agreement between the two parties, Itamar Ben Gvir is to serve in the newly created role of National Security Minister, which is an expanded version of the Public Security Ministry of Israel.
MK Yariv Levin, the coordinator of Likud’s negotiating team, said that the agreement would help to establish a stable right-wing government in the country led by Benjamin Netanyahu. The deal between the two political parties is an effort toward forming a coalition following this month’s election.
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Earlier this month, Benjamin Netanyahu was given a 28-day mandate to form a government in Israel. Israeli President Isaac Herzog asked him to form the new government. Herzog also urged political parties to unite for the country.
Netanyahu returned to power in Israel after five elections in less than four years. Netanyahu was toppled last year by a coalition of eight parties. He was the longest-serving leader in Israel, serving as prime minister from 2009 to 2021.
On 1 November 2022, 64 lawmakers endorsed Netanyahu to lead the next government in Israel. He is required to present a coalition government before a mid-December deadline to lead the country.
Earlier, Prime Minister Yair Lapid warned that the political system of Israel could be affected under strict Jewish law. Subsequently, Netanyahu criticized the government’s legislative work. He reportedly said that he does “not accept the moral preachings.”
