The world is reacting to the new Israeli government at the end of the Netanyahu era Middle East News

Several world leaders welcomed Israel’s new government, but the Palestinians continued to challenge what they perceived as a continuation of the previous administration.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s 12-year tenure ended on Sunday, with his administration replaced by centrist Yair Lapid and ultranationalist Naftali Bennett in a coalition government. In a 60-59 vote of confidence, the Israeli parliament approved the new government.

The vote was won after Lapid concluded a coalition agreement between eight different parties that have little in common, ignoring Netanyahu’s desire to overthrow many analysts to question the new government’s chances of survival in the long run.

Here is how world leaders reacted to the new government:

Joe Biden

U.S. President Joe Biden has said the United States remains committed to Israel’s security and will work with its new government. In a statement, the US president welcomed the new governing coalition led by nationalist Naftali Bennett and sought to reaffirm US-Israel ties.

“I look forward to working with Prime Minister Bennett to strengthen all aspects of the close and lasting relationship between our two nations,” Biden said. “Israel has no better friends than the United States.

“The United States continues to stand up for Israel’s security,” Biden said. “My administration is fully committed to working with the new Israeli government to bring security, stability and peace to the people of Israel, the Palestinians and the people of the wider region.”

Angela Merkel

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said she hopes to “work closely” with Israel’s new prime minister.

“Germany and Israel are linked by a unique friendship that we want to further strengthen. With things like that, I’m eager to work closely with you, ”Merkel said in a message to Bennett and a message shared on Twitter by spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer.

Mahmoud Abbas

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s office has said the change of government remains an Israeli issue and that Palestinian demands remain the same.

“It is an internal Israeli affair,” Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh said in a statement. “Our position has always been clear, what we want is a Palestinian border state with the 1967 capital of Jerusalem,” he added.

A spokesman for Hamas

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum stressed that whatever the color of the new administration, Israel “remains a colonial institution.”

“Whatever form of the Israeli government, it will not change the way we look at the Zionist organization,” Barhoum said. “It is an occupation and a colonial institution, and we should hold on to it to restore our rights,” he added.

Sebastian Kurz

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz congratulated Bennett and Lapid and said he hoped to work with them.

“Austria is committed to Israel as a Jewish and democratic state and will continue to support Israel,” he said on Twitter.

Dominic Raab

He also congratulated the UK Foreign Secretary on forming the Bennett and Lapid government.

In a tweet, Dominic Raabe said he looked forward to the UK-Israel “working together on security, trade and climate change and working together to ensure regional peace”.

Justin Trudeau

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he hoped to work with Bennett and Lapid to “keep our people safe and protected while we recover from the global COVID-19 pandemic and help the two countries build better.”

In a statement, Trudeau said the leaders will “explore ways to further strengthen the relationship between Canada and Israel,” including through a bilateral trade agreement. He also thanked Netanyahu for “the valuable cooperation he has had over the years.”

Chuck Schumer

The U.S. Senate Majority Leader said he hopes the new government will pave the way for “serious” negotiations on a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“I urge the Road Administration to do everything it can to unite the parties and help them reach a two-state solution so that each side lives peacefully side by side,” Schumer said.

Netanyahu promised to return [Ariel Schali/AP Photo]

Benjamin netanyahu

The ousted Israeli prime minister promised to return to power as soon as he took to social media.

“Don’t let your spirit fall,” he said on Twitter. “We’ll be back, and faster than you think,” he added.