Netanyahu sworn in for sixth term as Israel's prime minister

Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in Thursday for his sixth term as Israel's prime minister in a ceremony in the Knesset as the Likud head prepares to lead a conservative coalition.

After winning the election in November, Netanyahu formed a coalition with six right-wing parties last week to return to power. 

Before being sworn in, Netanyahu tweeted a blessing, thanking God for allowing him to reach this point.

The new coalition government, which includes nationalist and ultra-Orthodox parties, is taking what some classify as a hard-right stance as policies include promoting Jewish homes in the West Bank, tightening immigration rules and the death penalty for terrorists.

Hundreds of people protested the new government outside of the Knesset on Thursday, The Jerusalem Post reported. Some of the demonstrators cited concerns about the treatment of Arabs and the LGBT community under the new government. 

The coalition government agreed that private businesses and medical professionals should be allowed to refuse services that violate their religious beliefs, bringing accusations of homophobia.

Meanwhile, the Knesset elected its first openly gay speaker Thursday, Likud member Amir Ohana.