ECAJ “trusts” new Israeli PM will restore stability
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry congratulates Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid on the formation of a new Israeli coalition government.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, together with alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid. (Photos by Shalev Shalom/TPS)
Under the terms of the coalition agreement, the prime ministership will rotate to Mr Lapid in August 2023.
The new government is the most politically broad in Israel’s history with Mr Bennett’s and Mr Lapid’s parties joined by the centrist Blue and White, centre-left Labour Party, left-wing Meretz, secular Yisrael Beytenu, centre-right New Hope and the Arab Islamist party, Ra’am.
The new ministry also reflects the diversity of Israeli society. It includes an Ethiopian-born minister for Immigration, a minister with a physical disability, a former IDF chief of staff, Israel’s first openly gay party leader, a minister from the Arab community, and immigrants from the former Soviet Union.
The diversity of ideology and lived experiences in the new government will be a source of strength in serving a society that is pluralistic and complex. However, it will also pose considerable challenges given the competing policy priorities and outlooks of the coalition parties.
We trust that stability will be restored to Israel’s political system and public sector and that the new government will work with wisdom, skill and unremitting dedication and devotion for the unity of the Jewish people and the security and welfare of the people of Israel.
We also extend our best wishes to Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s longest serving prime minister. Mr Netanyahu’s diplomatic and economic achievements will long endure.
In other words, “Anybody but Netanyahu”. All happiness and joy will now commence with this diverse and 60/59 majority government – in contrast to the last dozen or so years. My family in Israel is concerned with living a happy and fulfilling life – in safety. It looks like strong has been replaced with wishy-washy.