Israel: Netanyahu Reaches Coalition Deal with Right-Wing Party

Facts

• Israeli Prime Minister-designate Netanyahu's Likud party announced Thursday that it had achieved a coalition pact with the right-wing Religious Zionism party. This brings Netanyahu a step closer to forming a new government.
• Likud said that the Religious Zionism party would be granted control of the Finance Ministry as part of a rotation, without giving details regarding the specifics of the arrangement.
• Israeli Army Radio reported that the controversial politician Bezalel Smotrich, the leader of the Religious Zionism party, would be the first Finance Minister under a new government and would then be replaced in the future.
• Likud also stated that Smortich's party would run the government ministry in charge of immigration and head a new Ministry for “national missions.” It added that a party member would hold a special ministerial-level post in the Defense Ministry in charge of settlement construction in the West Bank.
• Smortrich and his party oppose Palestinian statehood and support extending complete Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank.
• Netanyahu and his allies captured a majority of seats in the Nov. 1 parliamentary elections, putting him in a position to form a new government. He has already reached deals with far-right figures such as Itamar Ben-Gvir, who will be national security minister and oversee the country’s police force; Avi Maoz, known for his anti-LGBTQ views, will be in charge of “Jewish identity.”

Sources: Reuters, National News, Middle East Monitor, Associated Press, and Saltwire.

Narratives

• Pro-Palestine, as provided by Mei. Netanyahu and his extremist allies are just an extension of the threats Palestinians already face on a daily basis. The occupation will only become more brutal with people like Smortrich and Ben-Gvir in power, and peace or reconciliation with the Palestinians is impossible with these bad actors holding key roles in the government. Palestinians are right to fear for their future with these extremists at the helm.
• Pro-Israel, as provided by Times of Israel. Though people like Smortrich and Ben-Gvir represent the fringes of Israeli society, Netanyahu has been clear that they will not be dictating the policies of the next government. Netanyahu is doing what politicians do, which is to form alliances and build consensus. Ultimately, Israel will remain a secular state, and it will not be ruled by "Talmudic law."