JERUSALEM, May 17 — Israel’s parliament swore in its new unity government today led by Prime Minister Netanyahu and his former rival Benny Gantz, ending the longest political crisis in the nation’s history. Lawmakers in the 120-person parliament, the Knesset, formally approved the three-year...
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives for the swearing-in ceremony at Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, in Jerusalem May 17, 2020. — AFP pic
Addressing the Knesset before the vote, Netanyahu vowed to push on with controversial plans to annex large parts of the occupied West Bank.“It’s time to apply the Israeli law and write another glorious chapter in the history of Zionism,” Netanyahu said on the issue of Jewish settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Plans had been set for an inauguration last Thursday, but after 17 months without a stable government, Netanyahu asked for three more days to decide on cabinet assignments among his Likud party loyalists.Under the three-year coalition deal, Netanyahu will serve as prime minister for the coming 18 months — a major victory for a leader due to stand trial in a week on corruption charges, which he denies.
The new government may be confronted with yet another international crisis in matter of weeks, centred on the West Bank. Some experts warn that Jordan may back away from its historic 1994 peace deal with Israel if the Jewish state tries to annex the strategically crucial Jordan Valley border region.days ago, Jordan’s King Abdullah II said: “If Israel really annexes the West Bank in July, it would lead to a massive conflict with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
The 35th government since Israel’s creation in 1948 includes representatives from across the political spectrum, with a record 34 to 36 cabinet seats.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Israel swears in unity govt, PM insists on West Bank annexationNetanyahu is due to stand trial in a week on corruption charges, which he denies. FMTNews Israel
Read more »
EU to warn Israel against West Bank annexations | The Malaysian InsightHowever, there’s no agreement within bloc on what punitive action to take if push ignored.
Read more »
Israel set to swear in Netanyahu-Gantz unity government | Malay MailJERUSALEM, May 17 — Israel was poised to swear in a unity government today after three elections, more than 500 days of limbo and a delay on the home stretch, as the country hopes to end the longest political crisis in its history. The coalition government was agreed last month between veteran...
Read more »
Israel to swear in Netanyahu-Gantz unity govt today | The Malaysian InsightPM vows to press on with US peace plan that allows annexing West Bank settlements.
Read more »
Over 250 global artists urge Israel to end Gaza blockade | New Straits TimesNSTworld More than 250 global artists and writers including rocker PeterGabriel, director KenLoach and actor ViggoMortensen have appealed to Israel to stop the 'siege' of Gaza.
Read more »
China's ambassador to Israel found dead in Tel Aviv homeDu Wei, 57, had just become ambassador to Israel in February. FMTNews China
Read more »