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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was ousted from power as Israel’s Parliament approved a precarious coalition government led by Naftali Bennett.
Bennett, a former aide to Netanyahu who opposes a Palestinian state, and Yair Lapid, who is set to take Bennett’s place after two years, lead an eight-party alliance that agrees on little but a desire to oust Netanyahu, the longest-serving leader in the country’s history, and to end Israel’s lengthy political gridlock.
Netanyahu — Israel's longest-serving leader, who has dominated its political landscape for years — would remain head of the right-wing Likud party and become leader of the opposition.
He has railed against the likely new government, calling it a "dangerous coalition of fraud and surrender" and has vowed to "overthrow it very quickly".
Meanwhile, his trial on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust - allegations he denies - continues.
Speaking in the first minutes of the debate, Bennett thanked Netanyahu for his years of service to Israel.
And he said the new coalition would not allow Iran - Israel's bitter enemy - to acquire nuclear weapons.
Bennett was heckled by supporters of Netanyahu in some of the other right-wing parties.
For his part, Netanyahu had promised the opposition would have a "strong and clear voice" if he was ousted as PM.
"If it's our destiny to be in the opposition, we'll do so with our heads high until we take down this bad government, and return to lead the country our way," he said.
Bennett, a former aide to Netanyahu who opposes a Palestinian state, and Yair Lapid, who is set to take Bennett’s place after two years, lead an eight-party alliance that agrees on little but a desire to oust Netanyahu, the longest-serving leader in the country’s history, and to end Israel’s lengthy political gridlock.
Netanyahu — Israel's longest-serving leader, who has dominated its political landscape for years — would remain head of the right-wing Likud party and become leader of the opposition.
He has railed against the likely new government, calling it a "dangerous coalition of fraud and surrender" and has vowed to "overthrow it very quickly".
Meanwhile, his trial on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust - allegations he denies - continues.
Speaking in the first minutes of the debate, Bennett thanked Netanyahu for his years of service to Israel.
And he said the new coalition would not allow Iran - Israel's bitter enemy - to acquire nuclear weapons.
Bennett was heckled by supporters of Netanyahu in some of the other right-wing parties.
For his part, Netanyahu had promised the opposition would have a "strong and clear voice" if he was ousted as PM.
"If it's our destiny to be in the opposition, we'll do so with our heads high until we take down this bad government, and return to lead the country our way," he said.
