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Yair Lapid officially became Israel’s 14th Prime Minister at midnight Thursday-Friday.
According to The Times of Israel, Lapid’s term may be short as he takes over the caretaker government ahead of Israel’s elections scheduled for Nov. 1.
“We will do our best to build a Jewish, democratic, kind, strong and prosperous country because this is work, and we will do our best to build a Jewish, democratic, kind, strong and prosperous country,” Rapid said at a handover ceremony with outgoing Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. More than all of us.” Thursday afternoon.
On his first day in office, Rapid’s first agenda was to meet Ronen Bar, the head of the Shin Bet security agency, at the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv.
Shortly thereafter, the new prime minister planned to hold a meeting to discuss “captives and MIA,” referring to the remains of two Israeli men and two IDF soldiers held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The topic again made headlines this week after Hamas released a video showing Israeli captive Hisham Saeed donning an oxygen mask, the Times of Israel reported, since he entered Gaza in 2015. ‘s first photo.
Hamas is also believed to hold Avera Mengistu, as well as the remains of soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin. Negotiations to secure their release have repeatedly stalled over the years.
U.S. President Joe Biden congratulates Lapid on becoming the new Prime Minister. “Congratulations to Israel’s new Prime Minister @YairLapid and thank Alternate Prime Minister @NaftaliBennett for their friendship over the past year,” he tweeted.
Biden added: “I look forward to meeting you in July to celebrate the unbreakable U.S.-Israel partnership.”
Lapid is also scheduled to make a brief visit to Paris on July 5, where he will meet French President Emmanuel Macron, according to The Times of Israel.
On Sunday, Lapid is expected to hold the first weekly cabinet meeting of his tenure as prime minister. Bennett will remain in government as prime minister-alternate. He will also remain responsible for the country’s Iran policy.
Bennett announced Wednesday that he has no plans to run in the next parliamentary election. “Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has informed members of the right-wing faction that he intends not to contest the next election. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett will remain as alternate prime minister,” Sputnik quoted his office as saying.
The announcement comes as the Knesset votes on a proposal to hold early elections. The leader of the Yamina party is prime minister for a year.
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