Tensions have been mounting in the coalition during recent weeks, but they peaked when Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu told coalition faction leaders that he is scraping Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and MK Elazar Stern’s Giyur Bill. For The Movement party leader Tzipi Livni and Yesh Atid party leader Finance Minister Yair Lapid, the prime minister’s decision signals his shift towards mending fences with the chareidim. Joining this is Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who heads the Yisrael Beitenu party. The three have decided to join forces to create a formidable opposition to the prime minister and to advance the bill in Knesset despite the prime minister’s opposition.

To the surprise of some Bayit Yehudi is joining the three, with party officials explaining the bill was tweaked and after much negotiating and compromise, the draft bill was approved and agreed upon by all, including the prime minister, who promised to push it through. They are angered by the prime minister deciding to go back on his promise at the last moment.

According to a report in the daily Maariv-Hashavua, FM Lieberman instructed party MK Dudi Rotem to push the bill to the agenda for Sunday, 2 Marcheshvan for his committee. Rotem chairs the Knesset Law Committee. Lieberman is aware that Yesh Atid, Bayit Yehudi, Labor and Meretz will support the bill, Maariv reports, adding Livni has worked hard but she is now aware the bill is assured a majority if and when it is brought to a vote in Knesset.

Coalition Chairman MK (Likud) Ze’ev Elkin feels coalition discipline will have to be imposed. He does not believe that MKs should be permitted to vote freely since he views the bill as “one of one’s conscience”.

Maariv concludes that after speaking with a number of coalition members, it is not being ruled out that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is playing a two-faced game and that he will permit the bill to pass in Knesset after toppling it in the cabinet while expressing his opposition to open a channel of communications with the chareidi opposition parties.

Earlier in the week MK (Yahadut Hatorah) Meir Porush announced the chareidim have no intention of becoming a floor rag for the prime minister now that he has decided to woo them amid a realization his coalition may be crumbling around him.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)