Netanyahu Returns with Most Right-Wing Government in Israeli History

Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in as Prime Minister today, leading what analysts describe as the most right-wing and religiously conservative government in Israel’s history, with key ministries handed to far-right figures who advocate annexation and changing the Temple Mount status quo.

The New Coalition

Key Appointments:

Itamar Ben-Gvir (National Security): Follower of Kahane, convicted of incitement
Bezalel Smotrich (Finance + West Bank): Calls for annexation
Avi Maoz (Deputy Minister): Anti-LGBTQ, theocratic agenda
Ultra-Orthodox parties: Control interior, health, housing

Coalition Guidelines:

“Jewish people’s exclusive right to all Land of Israel”
Settlement expansion priority
Judicial reform planned
Religious law enhancement
LGBTQ rights rollback

Ben-Gvir’s Provocations

Background:

Follower of racist Kahane movement
Multiple convictions for incitement
Kept Rabin assassin’s photo in home
Pulled gun on Palestinians
Now controls police

Immediate Plans:

Change Temple Mount status quo
Ease open-fire regulations
Death penalty for “terrorists”
Deport disloyal Arabs
Private militia creation

Smotrich’s Vision

West Bank Control:

Civil Administration under his ministry
Annexation preparation
Settlement expansion unlimited
Palestinian construction blocked
“Greater Israel” agenda

Economic Plans:

Neoliberal reforms
Settlements funding increased
Palestinian tax transfers threatened
Cost of living ignored

Palestinian Alarm

PA Response:

President Abbas: “This extremist government will lead to more bloodshed and apartheid.”

PLO Executive Committee: “Preparing for unprecedented escalation.”

Expected Impacts:

Daily raids intensified
Settlement explosion
Al-Aqsa tensions
Annexation moves
Violence escalation

International Concerns

US Reaction:

Biden administration “concerned about some ministers” but committed to relationship.

State Department: “Will judge government by actions, not personalities.”

European Worry:

France: “Troubling appointments”
Germany: “Monitoring closely”
UK: “Shared values” questioned
EU: Relationship review possible

Judicial Overhaul Plans

Proposed Changes:

Override Supreme Court
Control judicial appointments
Limit Court’s review power
Protect Netanyahu from trial
Enable discriminatory laws

Opposition Response:

Lapid: “They’re destroying Israeli democracy.”

Mass protests planned.

Security Implications

Expected Policies:

Shoot-to-kill orders expanded
Administrative detention increased
Home demolitions accelerated
Collective punishment normalized
Army rules of engagement loosened

Regional Concerns:

Jordan worried about Temple Mount
Egypt concerned about Gaza
Saudi normalization complicated
Iran given propaganda gift

Domestic Divisions

Coalition Promises:

Gender segregation in public spaces
LGBTQ parade bans
Conversion law changes
Sabbath enforcement
Secular education limited

Secular Backlash:

Tel Aviv resistance growing
High-tech sector worried
Army cohesion threatened
Emigration discussions
Civil war warnings

Economic Concerns

Market Reaction:

Shekel weakening
Investment warnings
Tech sector nervous
Credit rating concerns
Capital flight fears

Budget Priorities:

Settlements massive increase
Ultra-Orthodox subsidies
Security spending up
Social services cut
Infrastructure neglected

The Netanyahu Factor

Corruption Trial:

Ongoing while serving
Coalition protecting him
Judicial reform helpful
Plea deal rejected
Legacy tarnished

Political Calculation:

Only path back to power
Dependent on extremists
Limited maneuvering room
International isolation risk
Historical judgment harsh

Analysis: Dangerous Trajectory

This government represents:

Paradigm Shift:

From managing conflict to imposing solution
From secular to theocratic
From democratic to authoritarian
From pragmatic to ideological
From Western to illiberal

Immediate Risks:

West Bank explosion
Gaza war trigger
Jerusalem ignition
Regional escalation
Internal disintegration

Long-term Consequences:

Two-state solution buried
One-state reality cemented
Apartheid label strengthened
International isolation
Jewish diaspora alienation

Historical Moment:

Israel at crossroads between:

Democracy or theocracy
Peace or perpetual conflict
Integration or isolation
Unity or civil strife
West or pariah status

Netanyahu’s return with far-right partners marks not just another government but potentially a historic turning point, where short-term political survival may have been purchased at the cost of Israel’s long-term security, democracy, and international standing.