Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu out as PM, Naftali Bennett in
Benjamin Netanyahu, after 12 years serving as Israel’s Prime Minister has been ousted by the Israeli Parliament and Coalition . The decision is to elect Yamina party leader Naftali Bennett as Israel’s next prime minister for the next two years, followed by Yair Lapid for two years.
Returning to Israel in 1967, Mr. Netanyahu enlisted in the IDF and served in an elite unit of the Israeli army, Sayeret Matkal. He took part in several operations, including the rescue of hostages in a hijacked Sabena airplane in 1972. In the same year, he was cited for outstanding operational command by General Mordechai Gur, Chief of Israel’s Northern Command. After his discharge from the IDF in 1972, Mr. Netanyahu served in the Yom Kippur War of 1973 and was promoted after the war to the rank of captain in the Reserves according to his official website.
President Biden spoke today with Prime Minister Bennett to offer his warm congratulations to Prime Minister Bennett on becoming Prime Minister of the State of Israel. President Biden highlighted his decades of steadfast support for the U.S.-Israel relationship and his unwavering commitment to Israel’s security. He expressed his firm intent to deepen cooperation between the United States and Israel on the many challenges and opportunities facing the region. The leaders agreed that they and their teams would consult closely on all matters related to regional security, including Iran. The President also conveyed that his administration intends to work closely with the Israeli government on efforts to advance peace, security, and prosperity for Israelis and Palestinians.
In 1993 Mr. Netanyahu was elected Likud party chairman and served as Leader of the Opposition until being elected Prime Minister of Israel in 1996. In 2002, after three years in the private sector, Mr. Netanyahu returned to politics, first as Minister of Foreign Affairs and then as Minister of Finance. In 2009, Mr. Netanyahu was elected Prime Minister for the second time. He established a national unity government.
Yonatan “Yoni” Netanyahu was a commander of the elite Israeli army commando unit Sayeret Matkal. He was killed in action during Operation Entebbe in Uganda according to the Jewish Library official site. The death of his brother weighed heavily in Netanyahu’s mind and policy making.