Sources close to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu report that shortly following elections, Bayit Yehudi leader Naftali Bennett phoned the prime minister seeking a commitment that he will be forming a right-wing government. The Yediot Achronot report adds that Bennett told the prime minister he views himself as candidate to become the next defense or foreign minister. Persons in the prime minister’s inner circle are quoted saying Bennett’s vision is “unjustified and unrealistic”.
It appears that Bennett feels that despite losing one-third of his party’s size in the dismal election effort, he is still a major coalition partner and as such, can demand a number of cabinet posts. Bennett was expecting to emerge from elections with at least 15 seats, but instead of gaining three seats from the current 12, he dropped to 8. However, he still feels he is in a position to make impressive demands regarding his party’s role in the next coalition.
Yediot explains Bennett is seeking either one of the two senior cabinet posts mentioned above in addition to the Ministry of Religious Services for Ayelet Shaked, who he envisions will also hold another cabinet portfolio; either justice or public security. He also expects Uri Ariel to continue serving as housing minister and he wants to maintain control of the Knesset Finance Committee.
Moshe Gafne of Yahadut Hatorah is also seeking to return to the Finance Committee post, a position he held in the 18th Knesset. Receiving this position is going to essential of Yahadut Hatorah is to enter the coalition.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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3 Responses
Naftali Bennett:- Study Psalm 92, verse 10:- “Ki Hinei Oyevecho Yauvedu” Certainly sounds like this Posuk is talking to you.
Netanyahu can always threaten to switch to a basically two-party coalition with Labor, giving his party a lot more important cabinet positions than they get from allying with many small right-wing parties, most of whom suffered a serious decline in strength in the last election. Likud went from barely bigger than Bayit Yehudi in the last election, to being well over twice as large, the swing was even more dramatic with Yisrael Beiteinu. If the small right and religious parties continue to be uncooperative, Netanyahu does have an option to ditch them.
The hareidim are especially in a poor position since if the new coalition does nothing, mass arrests and yeshiva closings will begin automatically – and in return for preventing that, Netanyahu can reasonably expect they will be not so demanding about patronage.
Bennet is just the peeson we need in the defence niw