Israel’s new Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has vowed to unite the nation frayed by four elections in two years of political stalemate.
He said his government “will work for the sake of all the people”, adding that the priorities would be reforms in education, health and cutting red tape.
The right-wing nationalist will lead an unprecedented coalition of parties backed by MPs in Sunday’s 60-59 vote.
He succeeds Benjamin Netanyahu who was forced out of office after 12 years.
Mr Bennett, leader of Yamina party, will be prime minister until September 2023 as part of a power-sharing deal.
He will then hand power over to Yair Lapid, head of the centrist Yesh Atid, for a further two years.
During Sunday’s debate in the Knesset (parliament) in Jerusalem, a defiant Mr Netanyahu promised: “We’ll be back.”
After lawmakers voted in the new coalition government, Mr Netanyahu walked over to Mr Bennett and shook his hand.
In his speech, Mr Bennett, 49, said: “This is not a day of mourning. There is a change of government in a democracy. That’s it.
“We will do all we can so that no-one should have to feel afraid… And I say to those who intend to celebrate tonight, don’t dance on the pain of others. We are not enemies; we are one people.”
