The Movement party’s signing an agreement to enter the coalition has sent a wakeup call to Bayit HaYehudi MKs, for prior to the announcement they have been silent. Since the official news of Livni becoming justice minister and securing a senior role in talks with the PA (Palestinian Authority), MKs of the dati leumi community appear pressured to remain Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu that they feel their place is in the coalition, not opposition.

MK Rabbi Eli Ben-Dayan is among those releasing statements to the media. He reflected back to the election campaign and how his party announced it would recommend Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu for the presidential mandate to form a coalition, and he believed the two parties are natural partners.

Ben-Dahan expressed his sorrow over the deal with Livni, calling on dati leumi MKs and Settlement Council leaders to prevent the prime minister from permitting Livni to handle talks with the PA (Palestinian Authority), for this he feels is contrary to promises made to voters. He feels the inclusion of Livni at this point signals the establishment of a left-wing government.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)