On June 13th, the Knesset approved the new Israeli government by a thin majority of 60-59. The Yamina Party’s leader, Naftali Bennett, was appointed as Prime Minister to the first government in 12 years not led by Benjamin Netanyahu. As per the deal reached by the opposition parties on June 2nd, Bennett will lead the government until 2023 before passing the baton to Yair Lapid for the term’s remaining years. Overall, the new government will count on a heterogenous coalition, which will likely undermine its stability; in addition to the ultra-nationalist Yamina party, an Arab faction – namely, the Ra’am party – supports a government for the first time in decades. Will this new fragmented coalition be able to lead the country for the next four years? How will the government face pressing issues such as the appeasement between different Israeli communities or the diplomatic stance towards Palestinians and the region as a whole?
Panel Discussion
Anna Maria Bagaini, Visiting Research Fellow, University of Nottingham
Nimrod Goren, President and Founder, Mitvim – The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies
Peter Lintl, Head of Research Project, German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP)
Chair
Ugo Tramballi, Senior Advisor, ISPI