No one expected sending Benjamin Netanyahu to the opposition and the rise of a left-center-right unity government that includes an Islamist Arab party to be a smooth process. And this week’s showdown in the Knesset certainly confirmed that it won’t be.
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Among friends, surrounded by foes. But who's who? Prime Minister Naftali Bennett navigates stormy waters as he leads his coalition into the Knesset. Photo: Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90
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Ultra-Orthodox MK Moshe Gafni loudly protests what he insists is an anti-religious government, while an unimpressed Mansour Abbas, head of the coalition's Islamist faction Ra'am, looks on. Photo: Olivier Fitoussi/FLASH90
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"You wanna piece of me?" All joking aside, new Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is not backing down. Photo: Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90
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Netanyahu fires back at what he deems the "fraudulent" new unity government. Photo: Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90
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A brief, historic respite from the madness as the first deaf Member of Knesset, Shirley Pinto, delivers her maiden address in sign language. Photo: Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90
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MK May Golan (Likud) is ejected from the plenum for disrupting the proceedings... Photo: Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90
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...and then MK Galit Distel Atbaryan (also Likud) is sent packing, as well. Photo: Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90
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Bennett reflects. No prime minister wants his time at the helm characterized by incessant squabbling. Photo: Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90
