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Netanyahu leaves official residence a month after losing office

Netanyahu leaves official residence a month after losing office

Israel PM Netanyahu

Israel's former prime minister BenjaminNetanyahuformally departed hisofficialJerusalemresidenceearly on Sunday, nearly amonthafterhe was ousted by his successor Naftali Bennett.

"A littleaftermidnight theNetanyahufamily left theresidenceon Balfour [Street]," a spokesman for the family told journalists in a statement.

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Moving trucks were spotted outside theresidenceand black Audi cars were filmed being towed from the property over the weekend.

The hawkishNetanyahu, who served as Israel's leader for 12 straight years following an earlier three-year term, stayed inofficelonger than any other prime minister in Israel's history.

He remained inofficeeven as he went to trial on charges of fraud, bribery and breach of trust. He denies the charges and says they are a left-wing plot against him.

He led Israel through four deeply divisive elections in less than two years before right-wing nationalist Bennett was sworn in on June 13 to head an ideologically disparate coalition, unseating him.

However,Netanyahudid not vacate the prime ministerialresidence.

Instead, he continued to host dignitaries including Nikki Haley, who served as US ambassador to the United Nations under former President Donald Trump.

In late June,Netanyahuand Bennett's offices announced a final date for the former premier to move out: Saturday, July 10.

Netanyahuleftaftermidnight Sunday, slightlyafterthe deadline he agreed to.

"Crime Minister", an organisation that has mounted weekly protests againstNetanyahuoutside theresidencefor more than a year, mocked him on Sunday.

"The defendant and his family fled as the last of the thieves in the night," the group wrote on Facebook.

Bennett is to take over the prime minister'sresidenceon Sunday.