The outgoing premier has a few days left to break the alliance that will oust him from power. Death threats and attacks on supporters of the future executive. Lapid: "If the leadership uses violence and incitement against members of the Knesset, then we need change." The March of flags has been cancelled, but right-wing parliamentarians want to parade.
Jerusalem (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The confidence vote for the approval of the new Israeli government, which could put an end to Benjamin Netanyahu’s 12 year grip power, will take place within the next week. Parliament President Yariv Levin, a Netanyahu loyalist, announced the nest steps yesterday without however naming a precise date, perhaps to leave a margin of time to break the fragile alliance that is holding the future executive together.
Netanyahu supporters have launched a violent campaign against his opponents, including death threats and loud protests outside their homes. A climate of hatred and division that has forced the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament where a majority of 61 out of 120 deputies is needed, to strengthen security measures.
The tension is fueled by the interim prime minister himself who accused the former allies of "treason" for joining the left and an Arab party (Raam) which, moreover, he himself had courted in the vain attempt to form a government.
However, the anti-Netanyahu front seems capable of withstanding external shocks, despite the attacks and the (no few) ideological differences.
Ultranationalist and former ally of Bibi, Naftali Bennett, will hold the role of prime minister for the first two years, followed by centrist Yair Lapid called to complete the legislature.
"This government is being formed because it's the majority," Lapid said Monday, insisting that it would serve all Israelis and be based on "trust, on decency, on goodwill."
"These past few days proved how much we need change. If the leadership uses violence and incitement against Knesset members, against their children, against the very essence of the democratic process, then we need change," Lapid said.
Meanwhile, some groups of the Israeli right have announced the cancellation of the controversial "March of the flags", intended to create new sources of confrontation with the Palestinians. The decision is based on some restrictions on the demonstration scheduled for 10 June imposed by the police, with the aim of preventing clashes between the parties in sensitive points in East Jerusalem. In a note, the police said that "the current route is not approved at this time", but without stating that the march is cancelled.
However, some Israeli right-wing politicians including Itamar Ben-Gvir, accused by the police of fomenting riots, and Likud member May Golan declare that they want to parade through the streets of the city anyway, exploiting their status as parliamentarians. Khalil Hayya, a prominent leader of the Palestinian extremist group Hamas that governs the Gaza Strip, replied immediately, according to which any form of provocation could trigger a new war.