Israel swears in government after three elections

JERUSALEM— After three deadlocked and divisive elections, a year and a half of political paralysis and another three-day delay because of political infighting in his Likud party, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu finally swore in his new government on Sunday.

The Knesset, Israel’s parliament, passed a vote of confidence in Netanyahu’s new administration to end over 500 days of upheaval.

Over the weekend, both Netanyahu and his rival-turnedpartner Benny Gantz announced their appointments for the new government — the most bloated in Israeli history with an expected 36 cabinet ministers and 16 deputies.

Netanyahu and Gantz, a former military chief, announced last month they would be putting their differences aside to join forces to steer the country through the coronavirus crisis and its severe economic fallout.

Their controversial powersharing deal calls for Netanyahu to serve as prime minister for the government’s first 18 months before being replaced by Gantz for the next18 months. Their blocs will also have a similar number of ministers and mutual veto power over most major decisions.

Meanwhile, the Chinese ambassador to Israel was found dead in his home north of Tel Aviv on Sunday, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said. Du Wei, 58, was appointed envoy in February.

Israeli police spokesperson Micky Rosenfeld said the ambassador's death was believed to be from natural causes.