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AFP
AFP
Washington (AFP) – US President Joe Biden on Sunday offered incoming Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett his “warm congratulations” in telephone talks, the White House said, after an alliance of parties ousted Benjamin Netanyahu and formed a new government. “I congratulate Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, and all the members of the new Israeli cabinet,” Biden said in a statement issued shortly before the call. “Israel has no better friend than the United States.” Bennett responded not long afterwards on Twitter, saying: “Thank you Mr….
Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. (HWZOA) National President Rhoda Smolow released the following statement following the Knesset vote of confidence seating the 36th Government of Israel to be led by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.
“Hadassah extends its best wishes and congratulations to Prime Minister Bennett, his cabinet ministers, alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid and the new Government of Israel. The new political leadership in Israel comes into power with opportunities at home, opportunities abroad and with unwavering friendship from Hadassah, which has supported each and every democratically elected Government of Israel.
“Israel’s leaders will undoubtedly continue to provide for the safety and security of her people, fight antisemitism, develop relationships with new allies and deepen the enduring US-Israel relationship. Hadassah members in the US stand ready to help draw our nations closer together and to protect and strengthen Israel against threats from near and far.
“A significant and growing source for strengthening the bonds between Americans and Israelis runs through the Hadassah medical system, where the staff and medical professionals at its two hospitals in Jerusalem continue caring for all people in ways reflecting the highest of standards and expectations of expertise, innovation, morality and diversity.
“As political power changes hands, Hadassah thanks all those who have served Israel and congratulates the new coalition on its success. We are excited to work alongside the Government of Israel, and we are hopeful that together we will strengthen the US-Israel relationship and advance the health and safety of all people.”
ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) today welcomed the swearing in of a new government in Israel, led by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid. ADL congratulated PM Bennett and FM Lapid for their efforts to construct a broad-based coalition government reflecting a wide-swath of Israeli society, and expressed hope that their tenure would bring much needed political stability and societal progress for all of Israel.
“Congratulations to the people of Israel on this historic day. This new government proudly reflects Israel’s broad and diverse societal makeup with political parties from the left to the right,” said ADL CEO Jonathan A. Greenblatt. “We are encouraged that the government’s wide-ranging agenda encompasses several important issues for ADL, including strengthening Israel’s security, addressing challenges of social cohesion in Israeli society, advancing religious pluralism and the relationships with Diaspora Jewish communities, securing Israel’s democratic foundations, providing assistance for Israel’s underserved communities and many others.
“We wish Israel’s new leadership much success in its efforts to bring about political stability, positive social and economic changes, prosperity for its citizens and peace with its neighbors.”
As a new Israeli government is sworn in, StandWithUs reaffirms our respect for Israeli democracy.
We are a non-partisan education organization. As such, we do not endorse or oppose any Israeli political leadership. However, we do educate about political issues and believe it is important to highlight some important facts.
In Israel, governments can only be formed when different political parties compromise with each other and form a coalition representing a majority of Israel’s Knesset (Parliament). There have been four Israeli elections since 2019 because no one was able to form a stable governing coalition.
The new coalition that was sworn in today is unique in Israeli history. It brings together parties from the left, center, and right, along with crucial support from a religious Arab Muslim party.
No coalition has ever represented the entire Israeli political spectrum, and neither does the new one. However, this attempt at unity across political, ethnic, and religious differences is unprecedented. We hope it becomes a positive example not only for Israelis, but for a Middle East where these types of divisions have fueled far too many years of violence, instability, and suffering.
Some Israelis believe the new government will achieve progress in many important areas. Others question how long it will be able to function with so many internal differences. Still others oppose it entirely.
We respect the many different political perspectives within Israeli society.
At the same time, we wish Prime Minister Bennett, Alternate Prime Minister Lapid and their government nothing but success for the sake of all Israelis and peace with their neighbors.
The North American Reform Jewish Movement congratulates the State of Israel on the swearing-in of its 36th Government. We extend our support to Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid as they begin their tenure today.
As the largest Jewish Movement in Diaspora life, we are hopeful that this new government, unprecedented in the ideological diversity of its members, will be able to implement many of the aspirations that PM Bennett laid out in his inaugural speech. We hope the government will renew ties with our Movement in Israel and abroad, commit to furthering a pluralistic agenda, combat extremism and incitement – including through police enforcement against the horrific incidents of hatred and physical violence as seen on Friday at the Western Wall plaza – and be a government for all of Israel’s citizens. We also hope this government will reaffirm the importance of a strong U.S.-Israel relationship, prioritizing bipartisan outreach and engagement.
PM Naftali Bennett and his government will face formidable challenges in the coming days, weeks, and years, yet we are hopeful for a stable government that will lead with integrity and courage.
We look forward to continuing our partnership and connections with the Government of Israel – to work with political parties on the right and the left, and for all future opportunities to work together in building a more pluralistic, tolerant, and democratic state.
The Jewish Agency for Israel today congratulated Israel’s 36th government — including its leaders, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Alternate Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Yair Lapid — on being sworn in by the Knesset.
“The Jewish Agency looks forward to working closely with Israel’s new government, whose leaders have displayed significant appreciation for the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with our Jewish brothers and sisters from around the world,” said Michael Siegal, The Jewish Agency’s Chairman of the Board of Governors. “Together with the new government, we will continue steadfastly supporting the best interests of the global Jewish people.”
Isaac Herzog, The Jewish Agency’s Chairman of the Executive and Israel’s President-elect also praised the new government’s attunement to the Diaspora.
“We congratulate the new government of Israel. I look forward to seeing this government work on behalf of all the people of Israel and strengthen ties with world Jewry.”