Naftali Bennett, a self-made tech millionaire and former commando, has been offered the role of Israel's next prime minister after his party, Yamina, won just seven seats in the general election. Despite being considered an ultra-nationalist and known for advocating Jewish settlement in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, Bennett has formed a coalition with centrist opposition leader Yair Lapid, ousting long-time leader Benjamin Netanyahu. His rise to power reflects the contentious issue of settlements in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and highlights Bennett's outspoken and combative approach.
Naftali Bennett: Israel's New Prime Minister
Naftali Bennett, a former software entrepreneur and ex-commando, has been sworn in as Israel's new prime minister after his right-wing Yamina party formed a coalition government with centrist opposition leader Yair Lapid.
Background
Bennett, 49, is a native of Haifa, Israel. He served in the Israeli Defense Forces as a commando and later became a successful tech entrepreneur. In 2012, he co-founded Soluto, a cloud-based software company that was acquired by Microsoft in 2015.
Bennett entered politics in 2013, joining the right-wing Jewish Home party. He was elected to the Knesset (Israeli parliament) in 2015 and served as Minister of Education and Minister of Diaspora Affairs under Benjamin Netanyahu.
In 2018, Bennett formed the Yamina party, which is considered a national-religious party. The party supports Jewish settlement in the West Bank, opposes a Palestinian state, and advocates for a tough approach towards terrorism.
Rise to Power
Bennett's rise to power is a significant shift in Israeli politics. He is the first prime minister from a party other than Likud or Labor in over a decade. His victory also marks the end of Benjamin Netanyahu's 12-year reign as prime minister.
Bennett's coalition government is a diverse group that includes parties from across the political spectrum. The coalition agreement includes a commitment to addressing economic and social issues, as well as to maintaining Israel's security.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What are Naftali Bennett's views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
Bennett is a supporter of the settlement movement in the West Bank and opposes a Palestinian state. He has stated that he believes the West Bank is part of Israel and that Palestinians should have limited autonomy.
2. What is the significance of Naftali Bennett's election as prime minister?
Bennett's election is a significant shift in Israeli politics. It marks the end of Netanyahu's long dominance and represents a new era in Israeli government.
3. What are the key policies of Naftali Bennett's coalition government?
The coalition government has agreed to address a range of issues, including economic growth, social welfare, and security.
4. How is Naftali Bennett's government different from previous Israeli governments?
Bennett's government is more diverse than previous governments and includes parties from across the political spectrum. It also marks the first time that a party other than Likud or Labor has led the government in over a decade.
5. What are the challenges facing Naftali Bennett as prime minister?
Bennett faces a number of challenges, including managing a diverse coalition government, addressing the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and dealing with regional threats.
Pakistan's efforts to seek membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have hit a snag as Indonesia and Singapore are likely to join India in opposing Islamabad's bid. This move is part of Pakistan's recent strategy to internationalise its issues with India, which New Delhi has consistently opposed. However, China's influence over Cambodia may tip the scales in Pakistan's favor.
A young man from Taiwan, identified as Zhang, had both his feet amputated after spending 10 hours in a bucket of dry ice as part of a fraudulent insurance claim. He and his accomplice, Liao, faked an accident and submitted insurance claims worth over NT$41.26 million. The shocking incident has led to charges of fraud and intentional self-harm, with the mastermind, Liao, being sentenced to six years in prison. The case has sparked outrage on social media over the lengths people will go to for financial gain.
A video of a 27-year-old Hindu woman being brutally raped at her residence in Bangladesh by a local Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader, Fazor Ali, sparked outrage and protests in Dhaka. The victim, a mother of two children, belongs to the Hindu community. The incident has highlighted the ongoing violence against religious minorities and ethnic communities in Bangladesh and calls for the interim government to take action to protect them.
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At least 23 people were killed in an explosion at a fireworks factory in central Thailand, with many more still missing. The blast occurred just weeks before the Chinese New Year, which typically sees a high demand for fireworks. Rescue efforts are ongoing, but the exact number of casualties is still undetermined due to the severity of the explosion. This is not the first time an explosion has occurred at this factory, with a previous incident in November 2022 leading to the death of one worker. Authorities are investigating and will pursue legal action for any wrongdoing involved.
The Indian government has appointed Parag Jain as the new head of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), the country's top intelligence agency. Jain, a senior IPS officer with over two decades of experience, will assume office on July 1, succeeding Ravi Sinha. He is known to have played a crucial role in Operation Sindoor which targeted terrorist hideouts in Pakistan. With India's dynamics with its neighbours becoming more complex, Jain's appointment comes at a critical time.
In a shocking and heartbreaking incident, a 60-year-old woman with advanced cancer was found abandoned in a garbage dump in Mumbai's Aarey Colony, reportedly by her own grandson. The victim, Yashoda Gaikwad, was discovered by locals and it took several hours for her to finally receive medical attention after being turned away by two hospitals. While her condition remains stable, authorities are still trying to locate her family. This tragic incident has brought attention to the lack of compassion and humanity in some institutions and the need for better support for the elderly and sick in society.
As tensions continue to simmer between India and China along their shared border, the defence ministers of both countries have engaged in productive discussions during the SCO meeting in China. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasised the need for long-term solutions to border demarcation and the importance of maintaining good neighbourly relations. Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to mitigating the ongoing standoff and agreed to continue high-level consultations. Singh also acknowledged the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar yatra and briefed his Chinese counterpart on India's counter-terrorist operation. With the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties approaching, both sides hope to work towards achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.