Netanyahu Returns To Power, Sworn In As Prime Minister Of Israel

Hank BerrienDecember 29, 2022

On Thursday, Benjamin Netanyahu returned to power As he was sworn into office as prime minister of Israel.

Netanyahu had already served more years as Israel’s prime minister than any man in history. He was first elected in 1996, at age 46 the youngest person to ever serve as prime minister, after having served from 1984-1988 as Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations. From 1996-1999 he served as Prime Minister, and then he served as Finance Minister between 2003-2005. He was focused on the goal of turning the Jewish state towards capitalism, which he did by significantly reducing tax rates. His tenure saw the ratio of debt to GDP drop to one among the lowest in the world and foreign investment reach record levels. Netanyahu served his longest term in office as prime minister, serving 12 years. This was an unheard of length.

“This new government is determined to restore governance, peace, and personal security to the citizens of Israel,” Netanyahu spoke on Thursday, when he was sworn into office. Critics in Israel and elsewhere who had attacked his coalition’s inclusion of staunch nationalists like Itamar Bezalal Ben-Gvir and Bezalal Shmotrich, he said: “I hear the opposition’s constant laments about ‘the end of the state’ and even ‘the end of democracy.’”

He said it bluntly. “Members of the opposition, losing the elections is not the end of democracy — it is the essence of democracy. A democratic regime is tested first of all by the willingness of the losing side to accept the majority’s decision. In an orderly democracy, the rules of the game are respected.”

“We saw it just now in a different context, in the World Cup final, when French fans were disappointed like you, but they accepted the result. They even applauded the Argentina team. I know you won’t applaud, but I do expect you to respect the voters’ decision and cease rebelling against the elected government,” He pointed out.

Netanyahu recited the traditional blessing Jews give to God to acknowledge their achievement of a particular milestone. “Blessed are You, O Lord, our God, King of the world, that we have lived and survived and reached this time.”

The Biden administration indicated in September that it would not tolerate any rightward turn from Israel in the event of Netanyahu returning to power. It also identified one potential ally for the ex-prime minister as “a huge problem for us.”

Officials from the Biden Administration stated that the White House would become “troubled by the possibility” According to some reports, Itamar Begvir, a Knesset Member who is a hardline conservative and head of Otzma Yehudit’s Right-wing party, could become a minister in an Israeli government. Israel HaYom.

“It would be a huge problem for us,” The official stated. “This is not someone we want to see as part of the government. Netanyahu is very smart and experienced and understands the consequences of such a development. This has not been discussed with him yet, because – as mentioned – we are at an early stage. But there is no doubt that he understands.”

Others appeared to bristle at the suggestion the Jewish state’s sovereign control over elections and politics could be subject to outside influence.

“My goal is to work for the benefit of a Jewish, democratic, nationalist and Zionist country,” said Brigadier General Tzvika Fogel, who is secular but had joined Gvir’s party. “I want to see sovereignty imposed, governance strengthened, and settlements expanded. We have to strengthen our hold on the land against the view of the left-wing parties who don’t see the Land of Israel as of primary importance.”