While Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid is likely to be a senior cabinet minister in the new coalition he remains a rookie, having never served a day in Knesset. He does have a certain media flare, in no small part due to his career as a journalist and popular TV host.

Despite his familiarity with the media, some feel the rising star may have already put his foot in his mouth during an interview on the Uvda TV program. He told the Channel 2 interviewer following the general elections that in the next elections he plans to run for prime minister. When he was asked if thinks such a bid would be successful, he replied “yes”.

It did not take too long for veteran politicians to respond, questioning the wisdom of Lapid’s remarks, pointing out that despite his popularity, he lacks experience, stating with confidence his slight of the tongue will harm his position in coalition talks. That be the case, Lapid controls 19 seats and at the end of the day the prime minister needs his support to build a coalition so one way or the other, we can count on seeing him as a member of the nation’s 33rd cabinet. However, while a less likely scenario, Lapid may opt to join the opposition.

Lapid also told Uvda that Israel must return to the negotiating table with the PA (Palestinian Authority), adding PA officials have already contacted him but at present, he has no plans to meet with them.

Needless to say the ‘share the burden’ issue, drafting chareidim into the IDF or national service remains high on his agenda, making certain to mention this in the interview as well.

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(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)