Benjamin Netanyahu is leading an Israeli government for the sixth time. He pays a high price for his return to power. Right-wing extremists and those with previous convictions can be found in his cabinet. You are given far-reaching powers.
For his return to power, Israel’s newly sworn Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made far-reaching concessions to his ultra-Orthodox and far-right coalition partners. The coalition agreement has caused an outcry from the opposition because it envisages serious changes to previous policies, particularly in the areas of defence, security, settlement construction, the judiciary, religion and education.
defense and security
Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the far-right alliance Religious Zionism, is given far-reaching control in the occupied West Bank. From a newly created second ministerial post in the Defense Ministry, he will oversee civilian affairs in the Palestinian Territory. Outgoing Secretary of Defense Benny Gantz warned that the portfolio reshuffle would weaken Israel’s security.
Itamar Ben Gvir, leader of the right-wing extremist Jewish Force party, will be given responsibility for the police as Minister for National Security and can therefore set their “general principles of action”. His ministry will also receive an additional budget of 45 billion shekels ($12.8 billion) over a seven-year period.
Before the 2023 budget is passed, Ben Gvir’s party wants to table a new law in parliament that would allow suspects convicted of “terrorism” to be given the death penalty.
West Bank and Palestinians
The government intends to recognize settlements in the occupied West Bank that are considered illegal and have been built without previous government approval within 60 days.
In addition, the military should no longer be responsible for the interests of Jewish settlers in the West Bank. Instead, they are to be placed under a civilian department of the Ministry of Defence.
justice
Before the government was sworn in, a law was quickly passed that would allow people to hold ministerial posts despite having committed a criminal offense – as long as they were not sentenced to imprisonment. This benefits Arie Deri, the head of the ultra-Orthodox Schass party: he is health and interior minister in the new government, although he has pleaded guilty to several tax offences.
relationship between state and religion
The new government could tighten the criteria for obtaining Israeli citizenship. Proposals include changes to Israel’s “law of return” – the basis for immigration to Israel.
Another new law would allow companies to refuse services on religious grounds. In addition, the financing of the yeshivas, the Jewish religious schools, is to be included in the state budget. Laws are also planned to allow the separation of men and women in public spaces.
education and parenting
The head of the far-right Noam party, Avi Maoz, will become director of a new government department for the promotion of “National Jewish Identity”. He is thus responsible for teaching activities or lectures at schools to which external invitations are invited. Maoz’s Noam party is hostile to sexual minorities.
