JERUSALEM — Israeli politics' veer to the right was especially visible yesterday as the new Knesset was sworn in. There are more people in yarmulkes, more ultra-Orthodox and more settlers occupying the coalition benches than ever in the furthest-right and most religious Knesset to serve in Israel. Almost a third of its members are Orthodox Jews from various denominations. Most of them are members of the coalition.
The Religious Zionism/Jewish Power party brought to the new parliament a record 12 legislators living across the Green Line, including party leaders Bezalel Smotrich (from Kedumim) and Itamar Ben Gvir (Kiryat Araba). Both are expected to serve as ministers. Outgoing Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman is the only settler legislator not part of the ruling coalition.
