Israeli prime minister announces new government’s priorities

Incoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced today the priorities for his new government. The coalition agreements included plans to legalize controversial West Bank settlements, provide additional funding to Israeli settlements in Hebron, and expand further into the region. Changes meant to overhaul the country’s legal system were also introduced, including a bill that would allow parliament to overturn Supreme Court decisions with a simple majority of 61 lawmakers. Netanyahu’s new government is scheduled to be sworn in tomorrow.

Why is there a new government? Netanyahu’s conservative Likud party won 64 of parliament’s 120 seats during the Nov. 1 election. The country has held five elections since 2019 and efforts to form a government this year were temporarily stalled over a package of proposed legislation. Netanyahu served as prime minister from 2009 to 2021 before being ousted on charges of fraud and accepting bribes. His first stint as prime minister of Israel ran from 1996-1999.

Dig deeper: Read Mark Tooley’s column in Faith & Religion about why the religious left has sided against Israel.