Benjamin Netanyahu finally lost his job as Prime Minister of Israel.
During 12 years, he had managed to cling to power, dodging attempts to remove him and defending himself against a corruption trial.
But now, an unusual group of political rivals, from ultranationalists to Islamist Arabs, joined together with a common goal: to finally overthrow “King Bibi” , as the now former prime minister was known.
The unlikely alliance of eight parties of diverse ideologies and tendencies managed to seal Netanyahu’s fate this Sunday and displace him from power by replacing one of his former allies: the millionaire Naftali Bennett .
But who is the new Israeli president?
A right-wing millionaire
When he first became involved in politics, Naftali Bennett e ra an ally of Benjamin Netanyahu, including his protégé.
He served as Netanyahu’s adviser, his senior assistant, and his chief of staff. He also headed the education and defense ministries in the recent governments of the outgoing prime minister.
Ideologically, he is much closer to the leader of the Likud party than to his coalition partners.
Like Netanyahu, He is a right-winger and has declared himself “proud” to be one.
On some issues, you are considered even more right-wing than your old boss, and he agrees.
Recently Bennett told the Times of Israel : “I am more right wing than B ibi, but I don’t use hatred or polarization as a tool. ”
Bennett openly rejects the idea of an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza.
Arabs ”, he said in 2015. “We have to abandon the idea that if we give them more territory the world will adore us.”
Also is a defender of the idea of Israel building settlement s in the occupied West Bank . In fact, he was the leader of Yesha, the main settler movement in the West Bank, and has made it an important part of his political platform.
But Bennett has not always been a politician.
At the beginning of the decade of 2000, this son of immigrants from San Francisco (USA) earned millions working in technology industry.
In 1999, formed the start-up Cyota , an anti-fraud software company that eventually sold for US $ 145 million.
He is now the leader of a right-wing party called Yamina , which, despite occupying fifth place and only winning r seven seats in recent elections, became the linchpin to allow the formation of a new government in Israel.
From allies to rivals
Despite their long working relationship, Netanyahu and Bennett are no longer allies.
The two are known to have grown apart in the late 1999, after Bennett left his main assistant position.
Despite a dispute very they continued to work together in future coalition governments, and Bennett has held various cabinet positions, including, most recently, Minister of Defense.
This is the first time Bennett has formally challenged his former mentor and Netanyahu has not taken it lightly.
“There isn’t a person in the country who would have voted for you if they had known, ”Netanyahu reproached when the formation of the new government coalition with Bennett was announced.
Center of controversies
His fluency in English and his ability to interact with the media mean that he often appears on foreign television networks defending Israel’s actions.
But he is no stranger to controversy.
In a national television debate, he once told an Israeli Arab MP: “When you were still swinging from the trees, we had a Jewish state here.”
Also ha said that the formation of a Palestinian state would be a “suicide” for Israel.
“Even if the m undo pressure us, we will not commit suicide voluntarily “, said in 2015.
The coalition is made up of eight parties.
In the next photo, they are in the top row, from left to right: opposition leader Yair Lapid, former Defense Minister Naftali Bennett, former Interior Minister Gidon Saar, former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman.
Bottom, from left to right: politician Nitzan Horowitz, Defense Minister Benny Gantz, leader of Israel’s conservative Islamic Ra’am party, Mansour Abbas, and leader of the Labor Party, Merav Michaeli.
It’s a very disparate bunch.
Joining Bennett is Yair Lapid , a former popular TV news anchor and recently installed opposition chief . He is the person tasked with forming a governing coalition.
He is much more centrist and, unlike his coalition partner, supports a two-way solution. states .
Under the coalition agreement, Lapid will take over as prime minister after Bennett’s two years in power are up.
Another notable name among the eight coalition parties is Avigdor Lieberman , a controversial far-right nationalist who once suggested that “disloyal” members of the country’s Arab minority should be beheaded. The so-called government of change will also have the support of Ra’am, a small party of Arab Islamists. In return, the party wants protection for the lifestyle of conservative Muslims and more resources for Arab-dominated cities . After signing the agreement, the Israeli media published a photo of Lapid, Bennett and the leader of the Ra’am party, Mansour Abbas , symbolizing an agreement that many thought was impossible. Whatever happens tonight and in the days left until the confidence vote if it ever takes place, this is a historic photo. A leader of an Arab-Israeli party and the leaders of a Jewish-nationalist party signing an agreement to join a government together pic.twitter.com/ahGijY6qgc – Anshel Pfeffer אנשיל פפר (@AnshelPfeffer) June 2, 2019 So what do all these diverse groups have in common? Virtually nothing, except a common desire to oust Netanyahu. An objective that, as it was proven this Sunday, has been powerful enough to lead them to form the new government. Remember to what you can receive notifications from BBC Mundo. Download our app and activate them so as not to miss our best content. 