Lapid: We laid foundations for Riyadh accession to 'Abraham Accords'
3 Min Read
Incoming Israeli occupation Benjamin Netanyahu presents his coalition's agenda to Knesset.
-
Outgoing Israeli occupation Prime Minister Yair Lapid
During his last speech before Benjamin Netanyahu presents his new government, outgoing Israeli occupation Prime Minister Yair Lapid said he is handing over power "with an unquiet heart."
In order to prevent what he called "a rewriting of history," Lapid said his government deepened ties with Arab normalizing countries, opened Israeli embassies in the UAE, Morocco, and Bahrain, and renewed relations with Turkey.
He also pointed to signing a maritime deal with Lebanon and the so-called "Jerusalem Declaration" with US President Joe Biden, as well as strengthening US-Israeli ties.
Lapid revealed that his government started talks with Saudi Arabia and "laid the foundations for full Saudi Arabian accession to the Abraham Accords."
According to Lapid, "If the new government continues on the path we’ve set," then "full normalization" with Riyadh can be obtained "in a not long time."
"We are transferring ... to you ... a strong economy, with improved security capabilities and powerful deterrence, with some of the best international standing ever. Try not to ruin it, we’ll be back soon," he added, addressing the coming government.
Trouble from the onset
Presenting his agenda to Knesset, incoming Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his coalition has three missions: stopping Iran’s nuclear program, developing infrastructure, and restoring "internal security" and governance to "Israel".
Netanyahu claimed his government will combat the rising cost of living and improve education.
His remarks were interrupted by incoming opposition MKs chanting, "Weak! Weak!", which resulted in their ejection.
"Knesset members, I don’t have to hear your shouts to know we have some disagreements," Netanyahu said, addressing his opposers, accusing them of rejecting the results of the November 1 general election.
"Losing elections isn’t the end of democracy — it’s the essence of democracy," he said, adding that "in a democracy, we don’t climb the fences of the Capitol, and we don’t climb the fences of the Knesset."
Once an occupation government, always an occupation government In his coming government of extremists, Netanyahu appointed Likud party MK and former head of the Israeli occupation military's southern command Yoav Gallant as Security Minister.
Bezalel Smotrich, the leader of the far-right Religious Zionist Party, will serve as Finance Minister for the first half of the government's term and Interior Minister for the second.
According to reports, Smotrich is a supporter of Israeli settlements across the occupied West Bank, which are illegal under international law.
Orit Strock will serve as "National" Missions Minister and will be in charge of "Israel's division" of illegal settlements in order to forcefully expel Palestinians and Judaize the areas.
Infamous for his brutality and criminal and racist plans, far-right extremist MK Itamar Ben-Gvir was named Public Security Minister.
Likud MK Yariv Levin will serve as "Justice" Minister and former Israeli Ambassador to the US, Ron Dermer, will be appointed Strategic Affairs Minister.
Likud MKs Eli Cohen and Yisrael Katz will serve as Foreign and Energy ministers in rotation, according to the party sources.
Read more: Power struggle intensifies within Israeli occupation
