TEL AVIV: Israeli prime minister  Naftali Bennett declared that he would not run in the upcoming elections because his coalition government had disintegrated just one year after its June 2021 inauguration.

After the Israeli Parliament is set to vote on Thursday to adopt a bill to dissolve itself, he indicated in a public address that he will "soon" step down as prime minister and rotate with foreign minister Yair Lapid. 

Bennett said he would "continue to support him as an alternate prime minister" and "transition the position in a professional and orderly manner." Bennett's pro-settler Yamina party's Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked will succeed him as party leader, Bennett said.

The departing Israeli leader described the previous year as "terrible" for him and his family due to frequent attempts to overthrow his administration by the opposition, led by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Bennett-led a coalition made up of 8 ideologically diverse parties, united with the target of ousting  Benjamin Netanyahu who is facing a criminal trial over corruption charges. According to Israeli news agencies, Bennett was considering competing in the upcoming elections since he was being urged by many of his followers to do so. 

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