New Israeli government entrenches colonial violence and exploitation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government, announced close to the deadline on Wednesday night, has resulted in Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked being entrusted with the ministerial posts crucial to expanding Israel’s colonial framework.

Intense discussions between Likud and the Jewish Home Party have resulted in Bennett serving as Minister of Education and Diaspora Affairs, while Shaked will be heading the Justice Ministry. The resignation of Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman last Monday is said to have been coveted by Bennett. Lieberman accused Netanyahu of having “no intention of uprooting Hamas in Gaza” and justified his resignation as a choice of “principles over cabinet seats,” as quoted in the Times of Israel.

According to the Jewish Daily Forward, the post of foreign minister will be temporarily filled by Netanyahu himself until a possible future appointment which might lead to further strengthening of the coalition government.

Appointing Bennett and Shaked to their respective ministries reflects a consolidation of the colonial policies characterising politics and society in Israel. With the Jewish Home Party now controlling education, justice and agriculture, leadership of the Knesset Constitution, the Law and Justice Committee, as well as control over the World Zionist Organisation’s Settlement Division, Bennett and Shaked have been granted the ability to further influence both pedagogy and legislation.

Bennett, whose Facebook Page is adorned with a banner and a quote that states, “I pledge to do everything in my power to prevent giving away even one inch of Israel soil to the Arabs,” now has the opportunity to further influence the altering and manipulation of narratives through education. Already as a manifestation of enforcing the wider settler narrative of security and defence, Bennett has secured funds for Ariel University in the West Bank and for providing armour for public transport utilised by settlers. Having been granted a seat on Netanyahu’s inner cabinet, Bennett will also be able to avail himself of the opportunity to influence the alleged “peace process” and further colonisation efforts through the regurgitated proposal of annexation.

Meanwhile, Shaked, whose profile was substantially raised through her macabre remarks advocating for the genocide of Palestinians during Operation Protective Edge, is expected to exert her influence over the judiciary system in Israel, including a possible reintroduction of the Jewish Nation State Bill drafted by Ze’ev Elkin and which constitutes a legal approval of settler colonialism. The original draft of the Bill, according to Haaretz, “affirmed the importance of settlement throughout the country’s borders – without defining what those borders were.”

Quoted in Palestine News Network, Palestinian Chief Negotiator Sa’eb Erekat declared the new government as one threatening the stability of the entire region, as well as furthering colonisation. “This is clear evidence that this government is aimed at more killing and settlement expansion,” Erekat stated with reference to Shaked’s appointment as Justice Minister. Erekat’s statement succinctly portrays the lethality of Bennett and Shaked in their respective duties. However, the Palestinian leadership has yet to articulate a coherent narrative that veers away from affirming Israel’s projected permanence and embarks upon strategies that force its disintegration.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.