About a day after the announcement that early elections will not take place due to the formation of a coalition government, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who heads the Yisrael Beitenu Party spoke to the media.
He explained that from his point of view, the most pressing issues of the newly-forming coalition must be an alternative to the Tal Law and preventing the expulsion from Beit El’s Ulpana neighborhood and the legalization of outposts. Lieberman explained the residents of the homes slated for destruction purchased legal homes from the government, received government assistance and approval and were hooked up to water and the national electric grid. “This was an error by the government and the government must therefore find the solution”.
Speaking with reporters at the start of a party faction meeting, Lieberman stated that when the coalition was formed following the 2009 general election, the coalition that should have assembled would have been his party along with Likud and Kadima. “This is the coalition that Israel needs… Better late than never”.
He explained that today, it should be clear to all that in all likelihood his party is the only one that is “consistent and serious”, basically reminding the press that his party caused the call for early elections over its unwillingness to continue in a partnership that does not keep its word, referring to the need to draft a new law that will compel chareidim to serve in the IDF or an approval national service. He warned that in this new coalition the same holds true and if there is no significant progress towards fulfilling this commitment, his party will once again leave the coalition.
He feels that with such a strong coalition, which is comprised of 94 of the 120-seat Knesset, there is simply no excuse for not getting the job done. He stated there are no more excuses and the coalition cannot continue stalling.
Lieberman also commented on Yair Lapid and his new party, criticizing the fact that Lapid’s charter secures his spot as party leader until 2020. “He has a better chance of being elected president of the United States than he does having his party still existing in 2020,” adding at best, the party will survive one election campaign.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
1. The government can always pay the Palestians for the land Ulpana is on.
2. There is plenty of room for compromise on conscription since they can always use carrots rather than sticks, and can recognize religious opposition to zionism as grounds for exemption (which could also be applied to Arab citizens). It takes a fool not to realize that trying to close down the yeshivos would be suicidal, leading to a Public relations fiasco internationally and a seriously weakened army.
3. Any law can be passed by an absolute majority – making it a “basic law” which overrides the Supreme Court.
4. They should be more worried about the fact their credit rating just got downgraded. Israel needs a vibrant economy to survive.