Netanyahu’s legacy: Personality politics reshapes Israeli democracy
Summary
At the opening of Israel’s new Knesset, Benjamin Netanyahu called for a national unity government as opposition lawmakers heckled him and Palestinian lawmakers walked out. The article says Netanyahu’s political influence helped make Israeli politics more centered on party leaders, and that his possible loss of office could leave him facing a continuing corruption trial and scrutiny over the lead-up to the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack.Key Facts
- Netanyahu called for a national unity government during the swearing-in of the new Knesset.
- The opposition bloc has a majority of seats but had not yet formed a government.
- Netanyahu cited Iran and accused Palestinian lawmakers of seeking Israel’s destruction; the article says he offered no evidence for that accusation.
- Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett heckled Netanyahu, and Palestinian lawmakers walked out during his speech.
- Gadi Eisenkot, who was given the first chance to form a government, cancelled scheduled coalition talks with Netanyahu and called him unfit for office.
- If Netanyahu loses office, his corruption trial could continue without the protections of the prime minister’s office.
- The article says an inquiry is likely into Netanyahu’s and his government’s failings before the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack.
- Political scientist Roi Zur said Netanyahu helped make Israeli politics more focused on individual leaders and turned Likud into a populist party.
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