Israeli Prime Minister Swearing-In

Likkud Party Leader Benjamin Netanyahu delivered an address to the Israeli Knesset before being sworn in as prime minister. Israel’s incoming Prime Minister Netanyahu told lawmakers that radical Islam and the Iranian regime of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran were the major threats to regional security. But he praised Islam as a rich religion and said he seeks a permanent arrangement with the Palestinians and full peace with the entire Arab and Muslim world.

Opposition Leader Tzipi Livni then spoke. She expressed her hope that the new government would reach a peace agreement with the Palestinians. She also criticized the size of the new government which has the largest cabinet in Israeli history.

Both speeches were frequently interrupted by protesting lawmakers.

In Hebrew with translation into English. close