Uri Ariel has sharply criticized party leader Naftali Bennett, Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) reports, explaining Ariel does not approve of Bennett’s policy of often announcing ultimatums and causing a coalition crisis.

Minister Ariel is referring the recently-resolved coalition crisis caused by Bennett, when the latter announced the party would not support the coalition agreement with Yisrael Beitenu unless Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu agrees to appoint a military secretary to the cabinet. Ariel, who entered Knesset in 2001 is a bit more experienced that Bennett, who entered in 2013 and the latter regularly finds himself head-to-head with PM Netanyahu and other coalition partners.

Clearly relations are strained at best between Bayit Yehudi and PM Netanyahu and many feel this is a result of Bennett constantly threatening and issuing ultimatums to remain in the coalition government. It appears this time around Ariel feels it was time to speak out in an effort to teach the party leader a bit about maintaining a working relationship with coalition partners and the Prime Minister.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)