Former Israeli Prime Minister and now Opposition Leader Benjamin Netanyahu unintentionally raised his hand in favour of a clause and voted with his opponents in a critical vote that saw Israel pass a budget for the first time in over three years.
In a 61-59 marathon vote early Thursday morning, the Knesset approved the state budget for 2021, prompting celebrations and words from incumbent Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who declared the historic occasion “a holiday for the state of Israel.”
Netanyahu, who is the leader of the opposition and a veteran member of the Israeli assembly, however, mistakenly raised his hand in support of a budget clause with the coalition in the early hours of the morning. The former PM was not the only senior Knesset member to slip up and vote with the coalition, with Shas leader Arye Deri also doing so.
Netanyahu was replaced as prime minister by Naftali Bennet, the leader of the Yamina alliance and a key member in the ‘change coalition,’ who was elected in June after a 12-year tenure in office.
Mocking his own mistaken vote with the coalition, Netanyahu wrote on Twitter: “It happens that people get confused when they vote. Ask everyone who voted for Bennett.”
Forsided, 04.11.2021