Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented his new unity government to the Knesset on Sunday, ending more than a year of political deadlock as he prepares to go on trial in a week for alleged corruption.
The Knesset held a confidence vote to approve the newly appointed ministers and to appoint Netanyahu as the head of the new government. Netanyahu then took the oath of office for the fifth time as prime minister.
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Netanyahu's power-sharing agreement with former election rival, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, opens the way to proceed toward the application of Israeli sovereignty over Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria as part of the newly released Trump administration peace plan.
Under his accord with Gantz, after three inconclusive elections, Netanyahu will remain prime minister for 18 months before handing over to his new partner. Gantz, a former Israel Defense Forces chief, will be Netanyahu's defense minister and also the second in the command in the government.
"The people wanted unity, and that is what it got," Netanyahu told parliament, citing a desire to avoid a fourth election after three inconclusive ballots since April 2019, and a national battle against the coronavirus crisis. He added that "time has come to extend Israeli sovereignty," Netanyahu said, vowing to deliver on his election pledge.
Speaking after him, Gantz said: "Finally, there is a government in Israel, the longest political crisis in Israel is now over and it is time to end this era of fragmentation and incitement and begin the era of unity and reconciliation.
Israel's longest-serving leader, Netanyahu, now 70, first came to power in 1996 and has served three consecutive terms since 2009. He goes on trial on May 24 on charges of bribery, breach of trust and fraud, which he denies.
With a record 36 ministers, the cabinet will be the largest in Israel's history, a reflection of weeks of deal-making that bolstered Netanyahu's reputation as a political survivor.
