MK (Bayit Yehudi) Uri Ariel told Israel Radio on Thursday morning 11 Adar 5773 that rumors of an undercurrent of dissension in the party against Naftali Bennett are simply unfounded. Ariel explained the party leader enjoys widespread support, and this was evident a day earlier when everyone approved a number of appointments that he made in the party.
Regarding coalition talks to enter the government, Ariel explained that the fate of the coalition is far from being decided and Bayit Yehudi remains willing to enter into serious negotiations towards reaching an agreement.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
3 Responses
The loudest opposition has come from the rabbanim of the Dati Leumi camp who are uneasy about their party attaching the highest priority to trying to destroy the Hareidi yeshivos, even at the expense of support the settlement movement (who will be the biggest losers in Likud forms a coalition with Hareidim and left-wing parties). The rank and file probably don’t care much for Hareidim, and are economically similar in profile to Lapid’s supporters (affluent, westernized – even if Bennet’s are basically religious).
If Roshei Yeshivot and other prominent Mizrahi Rabbanim are truly disappointed with Naftali Benett’s aligning himself with Yair Lapid and his share the burden issue, they should threaten him that they and their followers will not vote for him again if there’s new elections.
#2 – The point is that they are NOT disappointed with Bennett. On the contrary, even the Charda”l rabbis are, with only a few exceptions, supporting him. After all, they hold that the situation in E”Y is one of milchemet mitzva, that serving in the IDF is a great mitzva, and that the ideal today is safra ve’sayfa. Whether or not you agree with their analysis, they are acting in accordance with their hashkafa. As for the few who are nevertheless displeased, certainly, they are free to vote for other parties – and may have already done so in the last elections.