Bayit Yehudi party MK Betzalel Smotrich explains that while he has nothing personal against MKs from the Machane Tzioni party, he does not envision sitting in the same coalition with the party.

His statement comes amid reports that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Machane Tzioni leader MK Yitzchak Herzog continue negotiations to bring the leading opposition party into the coalition.

Smotrich explained to Ynet that he will resign immediately if a left-wing coalition is formed, explaining it is not about one person or another but the policies of the government vis-à-vis security, diplomacy and settlement. He fears that a left-wing government offers nothing and Bayit Yehudi will move to the opposition if this becomes a reality while “building an alternative to Netanyahu that will earn 20 seats”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)