His ultranationalist Yamina party won just seven seats in the 120-member Knesset in the March elections, the fourth such vote in two years. But by refusing to commit to Netanyahu or his opponents, Bennett established himself as the kingmaker. Even after being abdicated by a member of his religious Nationalist party for opposing the new coalition agreement, he was crowned.
Naftali Bennett, who was sworn in as Israel's new prime minister on Sunday, embodies the many contradictions that define the 73-year-old nation.