Thread by @ariehkovler

The Knesset, Israel's parliament, begins the process of testing the confidence of the government-designate. President Rivlin is joining the session.

Naftali Bennett, Prime-Minister designate, takes the podium to introduce the new government. Immediately, hecklers from Likud and their allies start shouting, screaming and preventing him from speaking

The Speaker (currently Likud's Yariv Levin, but about to be replaced) orders right-wing leader Bezalel Smotrich out of the chamber for intense heckling. Heckles continue. Far right leader Itamar ben-Gvir now ordered out too.

Bennett is not being allowed to finish a sentence. Every few words a new heckler screams him down, even as he tries to thank Netanyahu and his wife for their service.

Serving (outgoing) government ministers, who sit on the front row, are now joining the screaming. Because everyone gets two warnings before being kicked out, they're taking turns.

These people are not going to take well to being out of power.

Bennett came with a speech about unity and healing. Likud and friends don't really don't want that message going out on the evening news.

There are only 53 Knesset members in this Opposition block. Six of them have already been removed for heckling. But the remaining 46 are screaming (one, Netanyahu, is sitting in silence) and getting removed one by one. Cynical and shameful.

Bennett praises Netanyahu for reaching out to Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas first, therefore making this coalition possible. Cheeky.

In a pre-briefed section of his speech, Bennett warns about the Iran deal and then praises Joe Biden while talking about bipartisanship

Wrapping up, Bennett recites the Prayer for the State. Someone begins to heckle and is quickly hushed. Now formally presenting the government to the plenum.

By my count, seven Knesset members out of the 53 members of the Opposition block were expelled from the session during Bennett's speech. Yair Lapid up now.

Lapid stood up for his speech, said "after seeing how you all just behaved, people will understand why we had to replace you", and then sat down again.

Netanyahu up to oppose the confidence vote. He's been speaking for two minutes and I think he's already spoken more about himself than Bennett did. So far, mostly reciting his past successes (vaccines, economy, security)

No heckling of Netanyahu yet. The incoming coalition MKs have clearly decided to respect the office.

First heckling of Netanyahu is from the members of the Joint List, the Arab parties that are not part of the incoming coalition.

As @AnshelPfeffer notes, Netanyahu's response so far has a whiff of a valedictory speech. It's all been devoted so far to his record. But it's also trying to present himself as the 'real' PM. He refuses to call Naftali Bennett by his title and is talking about future challenges.

As Netanyahu gets into attacking the incoming government, he's beginning to be heckled. He's now got into personal attacks too, accusing them of fraud, corruption and lying.

"the vote count was done fairly, but the votes were won fraudulently by lying to the people", Netanyahu says explaining his claim of fraud. The Speaker has lost control as Netanyahu's supporters cheer and clap from the floor.

Netanyahu says the new government will pass "fascist laws", which is an unusual line for a serving Israeli Prime Minister. He compares the incoming government to North Korea.

Netanyahu rejects the notion that there is incitement to violence from the Right. During the last election, party activists from anti-Netanyahu parties were regularly beaten by his supporters on the streets.

Netanyahu done. Next up, floor speeches from regular members. I probably won't watch them. Vote in a few hours.

The first vote is to replace the Speaker. Speaker candidates are never opposed, so there are only votes for or abstentions. The outgoing coalition's candidate got 52 votes. The incoming coalition's candidate, Micky Levy, will win.

As expected, @MKMickeyLevy from the Yesh Atid party has been elected Speaker with 67 votes. He also won support from the Joint List, Arab parties that are not part of the new coalition.

For his first act as Speaker, Micky Levy forgoes his traditional speech, noting that one of the Knesset members was brought by an ambulance to vote on the new government and she needs to go back to hospital as soon as possible.

The vote on the new government begins. Said al-Harumi from Ra'am is not present, perhaps as a protest. If he doesn't return to vote, the final total will be 60-59 and the government will be seated.

This was al-Harumi earlier. Also out of the room is Ahmad Tibi who was planning to vote against, so the final total may be 60-58

https://twitter.com/ariehkovler/status/1404016937827438592

Several Arab MKs from outside the coalition were absent until the last moment, holding back their votes until it was clear they could vote against the coalition without toppling it. Said al-Harumi entered and voted to abstain. Final tally: 60-59. The Govt is seated.

Naftali Bennett is Israel's new Prime Minister. Yair Lapid is the Alternate PM. The final vote looks close (60-59) but it was carefully calibrated by the Arab parties who were ensuring that this govt would be seated.

Netanyahu walked over and shook Bennett's hand briefly. Bennett tried to pat him on the shoulder, but Netanyahu had already walked away.

All the ministers are now sworn in and Israel's new Cabinet is meeting. Bennett opens with the Jewish Blessing on Time (aka "shehechianu") and urges the ministers to take their time choosing Director-Generals for their departments. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shehechey…

Lapid, for the second time, passes on his opportunity for a speech. Lapid's a good speaker, but he's chosen to keep a lower profile today.