Even before their planned swearing-in, the right-wing religious government of Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu pushed through a highly controversial change in the law. After hours of debate, 63 of the 120 MPs voted in favor and 55 against on Tuesday morning.
The amendment to the law is intended to enable the leader of the strictly religious Schas party, Arie Deri, to become interior minister despite being convicted of tax offences. In addition, Bezalel Smotrich of the Religious Zionist Party can also receive a ministerial post in the Ministry of Defense in addition to the position of Finance Minister.
Smotrich is considered a fervent advocate of settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank. In the future, he should also have influence on the administration of the West Bank and the life of the Palestinians. Smotrich aims to legalize more Israeli settlements.
Far-right slated to be Minister of National Security
The new government is scheduled to be sworn in on Thursday. Before that, the powers of the Minister of National Security are to be expanded through another legislative amendment. The right-wing extremist politician Itamar Ben-Gvir is to receive the post. In addition to the police, he should also be responsible for the border police in the West Bank after the change in law.
Outgoing Secretary of Defense Benny Gantz warned of a further escalation of violence and bloodshed in the region given the changes.
After his election victory on November 1, the 73-year-old Netanyahu managed to form a right-wing religious coalition. His government is planning far-reaching law changes and a targeted weakening of the judicial system. According to experts, the changes could also lead to an end to the ongoing corruption process against Netanyahu.
Israel’s outgoing Prime Minister Jair Lapid said after the recent changes in the law that the new government had proved “the most corrupt of all times” even before it was sworn in.
