Limor Simhony Philpott

Can Naftali Bennett’s anti-Bibi coalition survive?

Sunday saw a watershed moment in Israeli politics: Bibi Netanyahu was removed from power after 12 years, and his government replaced by an eclectic coalition headed by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, both of whom will serve as Prime Minister under a rotation agreement, starting with Bennett. It may be that one of Bibi’s greatest achievements was bringing together politicians with little in common but the belief that it was time for Bibi to go.

Anyone watching the vote to approve the new government would have been on the edge of their seat: the new government was approved by a single vote (passed 60 to 59). The vote was preceded by a speech from would-be PM Bennett, who was constantly interrupted by Likud and other right-wing and orthodox Knesset members, who heckled and cursed him. Bibi was one of the few people in the room wearing a mask, so his expression couldn’t be seen – but the look in his eyes was telling of the storm within.

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