Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu over the weekend addressed the makeup of a new coalition that he will form if selected to do so. He told Kol Chai Radio that there is no chance of him forming a coalition that includes Yitzchak Herzog and Tzipi Livni. “We are not certain we will form the next coalition. This will depend on the size of Likud [following elections]”.
The prime minister went on to discuss which parties he would like to see in a new coalition government, stating Bayit Yehudi, Kulanu, Yisrael Beitenu and the chareidi parties.
He emphasized that Herzog and Livni would not be a member of any coalition he forms. He added she opposed a decision a few months ago to continue building in Jewish areas of Yerushalayim and that Herzog will divide Jerusalem if given the opportunity. “Tzipi says we cannot build in Jerusalem; not in Gilo or Ramot. If a Jew cannot build in Jerusalem where may a Jew build? I cannot accept this outlook. These are not natural [coalition] partners. Our partners view things differently”.
Mr. Netanyahu added “Regarding the outgoing coalition, everyone now understands that I was compelled to act as I did from the get go. I oppose disqualifying any population and to act against any population in a hateful fashion as was the case, but to address all populations of the nation with dignity and respect”.
Regarding criminal sanctions against chareidim who do not serve in the military, Mr. Netanyahu stated “I said it in the clearest terms and I take advantage of this opportunity to state it again. A Jew should not have to sit in jail for limud Torah anywhere in the word, all the more so in our nation”.
Regarding the appointment of Yair Lapid as finance minister, Mr. Netanyahu explained this too was forced upon him as defined by the election results. “My natural instinct is to protect the nation. While Tzipi and Bouji (Yitzchak Herzog) wish to divide the nation. They haven’t learned a thing from the expulsion. That are willing to give away land and any land they give away will become Hamastine and ISIStine. I would bring them into a coalition? I do not plan to enter into a rotation agreement with them nor to bring them into the government”.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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4 Responses
so yachad is chareidi now?
Netanyahu, along with Bennett, pushed through the criminal sanctions by “enforcing coalition discipline.” Indeed, once Lapid broke with the coalition, it would have been an easy matter to reform the coalition with the hareidim, and without Lapid, and change the law.
Netanyahu now realizes that without Yahdut ha-Torah and Shas supporting him, he may not have enough seats to form a government, and would be very vulnerable if Herzog offers to repeal Netanyahu/Bennett/Lapid’s conscription law in return for a blank check from the two hareidi parties.
To repeal the law, they would either have to recognize all form sof religious and conscientious objection to military service, or switch to a volunteer/professional army, though perhaps they could recognize learning in yeshiva as alternative civilian service – but it would all require the Israeli equivalent of a constitutional amendment.
So why does Bibi seem to follow a different viewpoint once elected???
That remains an enigma!
To oomis
To change the law, all they would do is take out the clause making it a crime. No more or less