Israel’s new government will be sworn in today, after weeks of negotiations by incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yielded a coalition controlling 68 out of 120 seats in Israel’s Knesset. In addition to Netanyahu’s Likud-Beiteinu slate (31 seats), the coalition includes Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid (19), Naftali Bennett’s Jewish Home party (12), and Tzipi Livni’s Hatnuah party (6).
For the first time in decades no ultra-orthodox Jewish parties will sit in the coalition. Livni campaigned on a platform of restarting negotiations with the Palestinians, social justice, environmental protection, women’s and gay rights, and religious pluralism. Lapid’s Yesh Atid campaigned on resuming domestic and internal reforms of the education system, civil and gay marriage, bread-and-butter pocket book issues of the middle class, inclusive policies toward Israeli Arabs and the ultra-Orthodox, as well as peace talks. The result is that the coalition represents a broad cross-section of Israelis:
Although the likelihood of being obliged to formulate major or controversial decisions in relation to the peace process is remote, the inclusion of Yesh Atid (and Tzipi Livni, who will now be marginalized) may somewhat ease the international hostility against Israel by demonstrating that the government is not an inflexible right-wing party but represents a broad cross-section of Israelis.
Speaking at a press conference in Jerusalem today, Yesh Atid caucus member Ofer Shelah described a shifting political landscape in which Israeli factions would coalesce in search of reforms. “I think you will see interesting alliances, even unusual and unorthodox for Israeli politics — coalitions within the coalition — and in general we’re in for an interesting ride,” said Shelah. “We may see some interesting crossing of boundaries between coalition and opposition regarding many economical issues.”
Echoing the position that Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid laid out during the campaign, Shelah said his party members “strongly support resumption of the negotiations with the Palestinians,” but noted that talks require a partner, and “it’s not like the Palestinians are right now knocking on the door.”
The first party to agree to join the new government was Livni’s Hatnuah party, which according to the former foreign minister, was “established… with the intention of fighting for a peace deal.” When Netanyahu announced Livni was joining the coalition several weeks ago, he noted she was being brought on board in part because the next government would “make any effort possible to promote a responsible peace process with the Palestinians.”
Israel’s 33rd government is scheduled to be sworn in Monday.
[Photo: Euronews / YouTube]