Pres. Joe Biden Congratulates Incoming Israel's Prime Minister Naftali Bennett

By Mary Webber Jun 13 2021, 23:06 PM EDT

U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday congratulated Israel's incoming Prime Minister Naftali Bennett after the ouster of Benjamin Netanyahu's 12-year regime.

In a statement, Joe Biden said the United States is still constantly supporting Israel's security, according to a Fox News report.

The president added that his administration is fully committed to working with the new Israeli government in advancing security stability and peace for Israelis, Palestinians, and people throughout the border region.

On the other hand, Naftali Bennett tweeted his gratitude to Biden, saying that he looks forward to strengthening the ties between the two nations.

Israel's New Prime Minister

Israel has welcomed a new prime minister after Naftali Bennett was sworn in on Sunday. It happened following a new coalition that unseated its longtime Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Knesset appointed Bennett as the new leader with a 60-59 vote, with one minister abstaining, according to an NPR report.

Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted after the new appointment and told his supporters to hold their heads high and keep the faith. He promised to return to the position.

The ouster of the longtime leader was made possible through a group of unlikely allies across the political spectrum, with the same belief that Netanyahu had to go down from his position.

The eight parties composing the new coalition government all agreed to hold off on the major decision, including controversial issues such as the future of the occupied West Bank.

Naftali Bennett was a former ally of Netanyahu turned rival. According to a CBC report, he will preside over a diverse and fragile coalition with deep ideological differences.

Benjamin Netanyahu was first elected prime minister in the late 1990s, and he was elected for the position once again in 2009.

He used his time in the office to grow the Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which caused the frustrations of Palestinians with their hopes for statehood.

Benjamin Netanyahu's support, however, declined when he struggled to stay in power through initiating repeated elections, which caused inconclusive votes.

His critics claimed that he had become a polarizing and autocratic leader in aggravating the tension in Israeli society.

CBC reported that those tensions include the rift between Jews and Arabs and within the Jewish majority between his religious and nationalist base.

Naftali Bennett promised the new government to represent all of Israel, Deccan Herald reported. He is a right-wing Jewish nationalist and a former tech millionaire, according to a Geelong Advertiser report. He also served as Netanyahu's former chief of staff.

World's Reaction to New Prime Minister Naftali Bennett

Aside from Joe Biden, several world leaders lauded the introduction of Israel's new government, while Palestinians remained defiant, believing that it is just a continuation of the previous administration.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was looking forward to working closely with Israel's new leader, Aljazeera reported.

The office of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that the change in government remains an Israeli matter, noting Palestine's demands are still the same.

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz congratulated Bennett and said he looks forward to working with them.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he looked forward to working with the nation's new government to keep their people safe and supported.

WATCH: Naftali Bennett Replaces Netanyahu as Prime Minister of Israel - Swearing-in Ceremony - From i24News English