Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon continues to call on Yitzchak Herzog to reach agreement and enter the coalition government. During his statements in a Channel 2 News interview, the senior minister stated there is no doubt that ultimately, there will be a Palestinian state, seeking to persuade Herzog to bring his 24-seat Machane Tzioni party into the coalition.

What is led to resuscitating negotiations with Herzog is the weekly ultimatum announced by Bayit Yehudi party leader Naftali Bennett. Many are of the belief that the head of the dati leumi right-wing party lacks any semblance of political vision or policy, and as a result, his policy is continuing to announce ultimatums, threatening to break from the coalition if his demands are not met.

The last ultimatum resolved was Bennett’s demand for the appointment of a military secretary to the cabinet. That demand was not met but Bennett was given a way down from his high ladder and the Yisrael Beitenu party joined the coalition and Avigdor Lieberman has been sworn in as Defense Minister.]

Before the smoke from that ultimatum cleared, http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/424759/yaakov-litzman-bridges-between-bennett-netanyahu-thereby-ending-the-coalition-crisis.html Bennett has issued his new ultimatum, threatening to break from the coalition if negotiations between Israel and the PA (Palestinian Authority) are resumed.

Clearly coalition partners are tired of Bennett and his lack of willingness to work within the coalition. This includes the Kulanu party and its ten seats, Likud with 30 seats and the chareidim, which represent a combine 13 seats.

Moshe Gafne has recently stated on a number of occasions that he much prefers a coalition with Yitzchak Herzog instead of Naftali Bennett.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)