Netanyahu leaves official PM residence

World

Published: 2021-07-11 11:18

Last Updated: 2024-04-23 01:48


Source: Al Monitor
Source: Al Monitor

Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left his official residence in Occupied Jerusalem early Sunday, nearly a month after the new government headed by right-wing nationalist Naftali Bennett was granted confidence.

"The Netanyahu family left the house on Balfour Street shortly after midnight," a family spokesman said in a statement.

Over the weekend, black trucks and cars were spotted outside the Israeli prime minister's official residence.

The leader of the right-wing Likud party had held the premiership for 12 consecutive years and the previous term lasted three years, which is considered a precedent in the Jewish state.

He remained in power despite being tried on corruption charges, which Netanyahu denies and says is a conspiracy hatched against him by his opponents.

Four elections were held in the Israeli Occupation in less than two years, while the country witnessed the longest period of political stalemate, before Netanyahu was removed from power.

Ultra-nationalist Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who leads an ideologically disparate government coalition, was sworn in on June 13.

Despite that, the former prime minister continued to host dignitaries in his residence, such as the US ambassador to the United Nations under former US President Donald Trump, Nikki Haley.

The offices of Netanyahu and Bennett announced late last month, the tenth of July, as a deadline for the former prime minister to leave his residence.

Netanyahu left the headquarters shortly after midnight on Sunday, shortly after the agreed deadline.

The "Minister of Crime" group, which has been organizing weekly protests outside Netanyahu's former residence for more than a year, commented on his exit.

"The accused and his family ran away like thieves in the night," she wrote on her Facebook account.

The new Israeli Occupation prime minister will receive the official residence later Sunday.