Posted on 05/06/2015 12:39:23 PM PDT by Dave346
The agreement, which was struck just two hours before the final deadline for Netanyahu to cobble together a ruling government, paves the way for a narrow, 61-seat coalition.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling Likud faction on Wednesday reached an agreement with the religious Zionist Bayit Yehudi on the formation of a rightist coalition, Israel Radio reported.
The agreement, which was struck just two hours before the final deadline for Netanyahu to cobble together a ruling government, paves the way for a narrow, 61-seat coalition.
By law, if Netanyahu failed to form a government by midnight on Wednesday, President Reuven Rivlin would have been required to call upon another MK - presumably Zionist Union chief Isaac Herzog or an MK from Likud - to form a government or initiate a general election.
Prior to Wednesday evening's agreement with Bayit Yehudi, the prime minister had already clinched deals set with Kulanu, United Torah Judaism and Shas, which together with the Likud’s 30 lawmakers, gave him 53 MKs.
But Bayit Yehudi played hard to get on Tuesday, purposely not returning repeated calls and messages from Netanyahu’s associates. Leader Naftali Bennett’s associates said during the day that he would only speak to Netanyahu directly to reach a deal.
By evening, the Bayit Yehudi chairman agreed to send his political adviser Shalom Shlomo to meet with the prime minister’s lawyer David Shimron to work out the details of a coalition agreement. Bennett and Netanyahu are expected to meet to finalize the deal on Wednesday.
A Bayit Yehudi spokesman would not confirm reports that the party’s demands included the Foreign Ministry for Bennett, the Justice portfolio for MK Ayelet Shaked and the Education Ministry for current Construction Minister Uri Ariel.
The Likud released a statement on Tuesday denying that Netanyahu’s associates had mocked the offer or attacked Bennett.
“Throughout the day there were various quotes attributed to sources close to the prime minister,” the statement said.
“We want to clarify that no statement or briefing came from the party or the prime minister.”
Among the quotes attributed was: “The Right will never forgive Bennett if he prevents the formation of a right-wing government because he craved portfolios.”
Oh, good! Since the election there has been talk of Bibi’s need to include the left in a “national unity” coalition.
(Kind of like our own ‘rats insisting on “bipartisanship” after conservative victories.)
I’m glad to see he put together a right-wing government. I think that’s healthier for Israel’s future.
Dave, your opinion here?
He was hoping for a 67-seat coalition, but the hard-right Yisrael Beteinu party apparently refused to join. (Unclear if that was for ideological reasons, or because they demanded cabinet posts he has already promised to other parties.)
This is problematic for Bibi for two reasons: (1) A 61-seat coalition is very unstable-- it's the bare minimum for a Knesset majority, so any single party in the coalition can end the government and require new elections simply by dropping out at any time. (2) He got to 61 only by including the two ultra-Orthodox parties (Shas and UTJ), who were not in his prior coalition. They will doubtless insist on restoring the draft exemption for students at their Yeshivas, a controversial policy that is not only anathema to Israel's left, but also very unpopular with the secular and moderate-religious elements of the center and right, who see it as favoritism at best and a national-security threat at worst.
So, for two reasons, this may prove to be a very short-lived government.
Yisrael Beytenu will functionally support this government, and there is already talk that it will join the government formally.
There was never going to be any right-leaning government without the religious parties.
Who’s Yehudi?
(sorry, I couldn’t help myself)
Anyone who gets that, score yourself 50 points.
What would hve happened if they had missed the “deadline”?
This is amazing to watch in these end times...
Right and Left don’t really mean the same things in Israeli politics. Netanyahu’s coalition is a complete mess. He’s allied himself with all of the religious parties, most of whom are socialist leaning welfare statists and a centrist party that wants more government intervention in the national economy. He’s lost Avigdor Lieberman in the negotiation process, which means he’s ruling by one vote. He’s going to be herding cats from day one to get even the most basic functions of government to move along. If Lieberman stays out of the coalition, they’ll be having new elections within a year.
Read the article. Fourth paragraph.
You have two right/left splits: the national defense hawks vs. doves, and the religious vs. secular split. And many people are "right" on national defense but "left" on religious issues. Lieberman's Yisrael Beteinu party is hard-right on defense issues, but represents mostly non-religious Jews from the former USSR.
He’s lost Avigdor Lieberman in the negotiation process, which means he’s ruling by one vote.
I read that Lieberman stayed out precisely because of the concessions Bibi made to United Torah Judaism (one of the two religious parties).
If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
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Politics, Israel will cope. Worst that happens, elections again in six or 12 months.
What is the deal with the hard right? Can’t they see Bibi is better than an Obama backed PM?
Yes, very interesting indeed. Israel's politics often confuse me until the elections draw down.....and even when one wins they have to form a Government so the real wheeling and dealing seems to occur then. I've been watching Bennet and understood he was playing hard to get, but then this is the time to do just that. But don't be shy about what you know of him....we like to hear about our friends in Israel!
Did you know Joel Rosenberg moved to Israel this past year?
Could you point me in the right direction for end times teachings. There are so many out there and opinions, who/what/ do you recommend? Thank you.
Less likely now, since Lapid and Tzipi are out on their asses, and Avigdor is no great loss. Only worrisome factor is the thinness of the majority. 61 mandates means that if any coalition member gets POd enough, they can bring the government down. But at least all the bad and questionable (Avigdor) actors are gone.
PS: After targeting Avigdor Lieberman for years, swearing that he was corrupt and initiating investigations against him under every pretext, the Left has now welcomed him to the opposition camp with open arms, just when a corruption scandal du jour had cost him huge in the elections. Wouldn’t it be funny if it turns out to have some substance for a change, and Tzipi and Burzi are now furiously shielding and defending him from the government’s prosecutors. Send in the clowns.
Healthier for Bibi. After he uses the Left to scare people into voting Likud, a national unity government would mean the end of all credibility for him.
The last government lasted 20 months. What’s the over/under on this one?
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