Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Sunday 8 Kislev 5775 met with Yisrael Beitenu party leader Avigdor Lieberman. He is expected to meet with the heads of the other coalition factions including Yair Lapid, Tzipi Livni and Naftali Bennett. A meeting is scheduled for Monday evening 9 Kislev with Lapid.

There has been a total disconnect between the prime minister and Lapid during recent weeks, and most believe the meeting to be held on Monday evening will decide if the nation is heading to elections once again or if the fragile coalition will limp along for an indefinite period. The latter is the more unlikely scenario despite the fact that for Lapid, the polls say he will emerge a much smaller party. Nevertheless he remains adamant on a number of issues and has given the prime minister ultimatums on legislation including his Zero VAT Bill.

Persons close to the prime minister tell the media Mr. Netanyahu has had enough and he is no longer willing to accept a situation in which members of his cabinet express harsh criticism against the government as if they are members of the opposition.

Most predict the meetings will end and Lapid and Netanyahu will continue to accuse the other of breaking apart the government. Whatever the case, in all likelihood, the current coalition does appear to be in its final days before new elections are announced.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)