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| - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent his congratulations Sunday to the new head of the Israeli government Naftali Bennett, saying he "looks forward" to working with him. "Canada and Israel are close friends bound together by shared democratic values, a long history of cooperation, and vibrant people-to-people ties," Trudeau said in a statement released by his office. The Prime Minister reiterated that Ottawa "remains steadfast in its commitment to a two-state solution, with Israelis and Palestinians living in peace, security, and dignity - without fear and with their human rights respected." He also thanked former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had been in power for 12 years before being ousted on Sunday, "for his valuable partnership over the years, at a time when Canada and Israel achieved a great deal together." A right-wing Jewish nationalist and former tech millionaire, Bennett is taking over at the helm of an Israeli government pieced together by an eight-party coalition, united only by their shared disdain for the hawkish right-wing Netanyahu. In a Knesset speech before the vote, the 49-year-old Bennett promised the new government, a coalition of ideologically divergent parties, "represents all of Israel." ps/lpt/st/jm
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