Benjamin Netanyahu Government’s priority - West Bank Expansion

Benjamin Netanyahu's new Israeli government will make West Bank expansion a priority. Netanyahu's incoming assertive Israeli government has prioritized West Bank expansion at the top of its list, declared to legalize dozens of outposts and annex the occupied territory as part of its coalition deals with ultranationalist allies.

The coalition manifesto which was released a day before the government is to be sworn into office also included language endorsing bias against LGBTQ people on religious grounds, controversial judicial reforms, as well as generous stipends for ultra-Orthodox men who prefer to study instead of work.

The right-wing government is expected to launch new-programmes in a very stormy manner

Major groundwork has been done and what is expected to be a very tempestuous onset by the country’s most orthodox right-wing government, irking allies at times and escalating tensions in the vicinity, particularly with the Palestinians.

Changes could be irreversible

‘Movement for Quality Government in Israel’ a watchdog group has opined that these agreements will change the basic fabric and the democratic character of Israel, and Netanyahu may not be there in future but the changes would become irreversible.

The latest agreements are guided by certain principles and obligations to "advance and develop settlement in all parts of the land of Israel," including "Judea and Samaria," the biblical names for the West Bank.

Israel captured the West Bank in 1967 along with the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem — territory the Palestinians envisaged for a future state. Israel has constructed dozens of Jewish settlements home to around 500,000 Israelis who live alongside around 2.5 million Palestinians.

The US along with many international communities have not ratified Israel's West Bank settlements as legitimate and considers Israel’s occupation as an impediment to peace with the Palestinians. The United States already has warned the incoming government against taking steps that could further escalate tensions in the region. Iran and Egypt are already flexing their muscles.

Israel-Palestinian conflict can be resolved by establishment of a Palestinian state – Palestinian Leader

Meanwhile, the Palestinian leadership reiterated that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be resolved only through the establishment of a separate Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital.

Without a negotiated two-state solution, "there will be no peace, security or stability in the region," said Nabil Abu Rdeneh, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Netanyahu, who served 12 years as Prime Minister, is returning to power after he was ousted from office last year. His new government is made up of ultra-Orthodox parties, a far-right ultranationalist religious faction affiliated with the West Bank settler movement and his Likud party.

Annexation of West-Bank is government’s top-most priority

In the coalition agreement between Likud and its ally, the Religious Zionism party, Netanyahu pledged to legalize wildcat settlement outposts considered illegal even by the Israeli government. He also promises to annex the West Bank "while choosing the timing and considering the national and international interests of the state of Israel."

The deal also grants special treatment to Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right politician who will be in charge of the national police force as the newly created national security minister.

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Increased Government Funding for Israeli settlers in disputed hinterland

Increased government funding for the Israeli settlers in the disputed West Bank City of Hebron is a part of the agreement. A tiny ultranationalist Jewish community lives in heavily fortified neighbourhoods amid tens of thousands of Palestinians. Ben-Gvir lives in a nearby settlement.

The agreement also includes a clause pledging to change the country's anti-discrimination laws to allow businesses to refuse service to people "because of a religious belief."

LGBTQ clause may not be passed

The legislation drew outrage earlier this week when members of Ben-Gvir's party presumed that the law could be used to deny services to LGBTQ people. Netanyahu committed that the law will not be passed, but left the clause in the coalition agreement.

Besides, Bezalel Smotrich, a settler leader who heads the Religious Zionism Party, has been ordained in a newly created ministerial post overseeing West Bank settlement policy.

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