Binyamin Netanyahu can establish a right-wing religious coalition government with a majority of 65 in a matter of relatively short time. Most believe he can overcome differences between the chareidi parties and Yisrael Beitenu as well.
What concerns the incoming prime minister and is compelling him to attempt to strike a deal with Kadima is the fear of having to significantly increase child allowance payments as was promised to Shas, possibly the issue of expanding outposts and yishuvim in Yehuda and Shomron and the need to address Ichud HaLeumi and Bayit HaYehudi’s demands addressing their pro-Greater Land of Israel positions. Ichud HaLeumi as part of its demands for joining a coalition is demanding re-categorizing Yehuda and Shomron as a ‘preferred’ area for subsidized construction, tax incentives and other government perks.
In addition, there are the demands of Shas and Yahadut HaTorah pertaining to funding for chareidi educational institutions and addressing the critical housing shortage in the chareidi sector.
Unfortunately, when Kadima, Labor or the other mainstream parties submit their list of demands for entering a coalition, they are deemed legitimate, either accepted or rejected, but when they come from right-wing, chareidi or dati leumi parties, terms such as “extortion”, “parasites”, and “extremists” are used.
Netanyahu the secularist does not wish to be labeled the “prime minister of the chareidim and extreme right-wing” and prefers Kadima in the coalition as a buffer between his commitments to the political right and religious and Kadima’s pro-secular centrist platform.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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6 Responses
Most of Kadimah are Likud dropouts, whome Netanyahu would love to have “come home.” Remember that Livni won the Kadimah primary by a miniscule majority, and by using some dubious tactics.Most of Kadimah would be happy to be part of a Netanyahu government and wouldn’t be pressing demands that conflict with Likud’s platform and Netanyahu’s wishes. People join Kadimah (and LIkud) primarily out of a desire for patronage, not ideology.
The right/religious parties should realize that Netanyahu has an option, and some be a bit more modest in making demands. They aren’t really “needed” by Likud.If they want to promote their agenda (being in expansion of settlements into Arabs areas, transfer, funding for yeshivos, etc.), they should get more seats and perhaps run unified lists.
YWN writes about the different labels for different people. If B.B. took the Charedim he would be called a great politician. Now that he
is leaning the other way, he is called “secularist” and worried about his koved.
B.B. is a politician. He does things to get power.
All politicians are the same.
The fruma oylim is not going to be able to depend on the govt anymore. Nor are they going to be able to depend on the largess of the American frum world. They are going to have to change.
Netanyahu wants Kadimah because he knows that once they are in the government they will not get off their seats. Netanyahu, a pragmatist, is afraid of people with principles like the right/religious parties.
when Kadima, Labor or the other mainstream parties submit their list of demands for entering a coalition, they are deemed legitimate, either accepted or rejected,
THE DIFFERENCE IS Kadima/Labor comes with 28 or 13 seats backing them, while UTJ or IchudLeumi comes with 5/4 seats as their representation. Also the tax liability of Kadima/Labor work force is esential for the Knesset budget to function, so they are looked upon as legitimate. You want religious values/funding/eretz yisroel, have all the frum parties bond together for over 20 seats and lots of representation.
Many years ago, the famous Conservative movement leader William Buckley stated the priciple that the most important factor in politics is religion.
The religious or irreligious position of a political leader is the most important factor. It trumps economics, nationalism, and everything else.
When push comes to shove, Netanyahu, the “right-singer” feels more comfortable with secular left wingers than with religious men of the right.
Bibi is afraid of people with principles? Where are the politicians with principles? Unless getting money from government has become a principle.