As coalition talks are underway tensions are increasing between the Likud and Bayit Yehudi parties. On erev Shabbos 7 Nissan, outgoing Chairman of the Knesset Finance Committee (Bayit Yehudi) Nissim Slomiansky spoke with the media about the breakdown in communications between the parties.
Slomiansky explained that while his party only earned 8 seats in the new Knesset, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu must address the party as if it still has 12 seats because the four Bayit Yehudi seats went to Likud as party voters responded to his call during elections.
Speaking to Kobi Arieli of Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) Slomiansky said “If I was prime minister, I would act towards Bayit Yehudi in negotiations as if it had 12 seats because we gave 4 to Likud to assist him to become prime minister”. He added that the prime minister’s current attitude towards Bayit Yehudi leaves us to believe we are last on his list as he tries closing deals with others including Yahadut Hatorah and Shas while he is yet to begin with us.
Ze’ev Elkin, a member of the Likud coalition negotiating team commented on the breakdown with Bayit Yehudi. He explained Likud will do everything possible to bring Bayit Yehudi into the coalition despite rumors Likud is trying to establish a coalition with the Labor party.
Elkin insists the prime minister has nothing against Bayit Yehudi and he called them first following elections as he promised he would. Elkin feels there is no reason that Bayit Yehudi will not be a senior coalition partner.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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7 Responses
Chutzpah.
If Bayit Yehudi had 12 seats, and Likud has 26, would Bayit Yehudi treat Likud as if it had 30. They should be content with the sorts of portfolios that small parties get, and respect that traditionally the major portfolios only go to large parties.
akuperma, why shouldn’t the ministerial portfolios go to those best qualified. For instance, Lieberman has a big mouth and is a bully, and he represents the sector from Russia. We should make him a cop in in a Russian neighborhood, let’s say Brighton Beach in Brooklyn. He would feel fulfilled.
First time I agree with akuperma. The small parties are too greedy
If this Slomiansky is typical of the intelligence level of the Bayit Yehudi members of Knesset, they should not get any ministerial portfolios at all. Slomiansky, you did not give anything to the Likud. The voters voted for the Likud; how dim are you?
avreimi,
there was a pact between bayit yehudi and likud which couldve given them an extra seat
Not chutzpah just total idiocy. If you got 8 your treated like 8. If you get 12 you’ll be treated like 12. What an idiot!!
MK Slomiansky’s attitude reminds me of an old children’s song…” Hey Mr. Guyva. you think you are really great!!!…”