Yesh Atid can chalk up a number of victories in the ongoing coalition negotiations with Likud/Beitenu if the party ultimately signs an agreement. Among them is the reported agreement by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu that his cabinet will not exceed 20 ministers. Another accomplishment [from the perspective of the larger parties] is the increase of the minimum threshold to enter Knesset from 2% to 4%. Lapid’s party believes by raising the bar it will contribute to more effective government and minimize the coalition extortion.

For Yesh Atid this is just a partial victory and party officials promise to work to raise that number to 6%. Yesh Atid is pleased for it feels the smaller parties which represent a very limited population will have to combine into a larger party and it feels such a move will be beneficial to voters.

Meretz leader Zahav Gal-On commented on the announced change, explaining her party is opposed to raising the minimum threshold to enter government. She feels the move is an effort by the majority to prevent the minority from growing and gaining control. She feels the current minimum threshold of 2 seats in Knesset is sufficient. Gal-On told Israel Radio that while it is true that over 270,000 votes were trashed in the last election, this is not the way to correct the situation and it is not acceptable to attempt to stifle the voice of smaller parties. “There is a dangerous effort to impact the smaller parties, the Arabs and others and this is undemocratic” she added.

A minimum threshold of 4% based on this past election means in the election for the 20th Knesset, the smallest party will have five seats, and not two as is the case today, such as the Kadima party.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)