In an interview with Arutz-7, Bayit Yehudi leader Economic Minister Naftali Bennett stated that regarding the municipal elections, “It is not time to go out and celebrate despite the significant achievement.”
Regarding Yerushalayim, Bennett stated the party made it clear from the get go that it supported Nir Barkat. He admits that he is sorry the party only has one seat on the city council as opposed to three in the outgoing administration. Bennett cited that in the capital there was no achdus and this accounts for the poor outcome as opposed to the cities in which there was unity and success. He added this is an important lesson for the religious Zionist community, just how critical achdus is.
Regarding the Elad race, Bennett explains he received an update that voting was slow and the turnout was worrisome. He immediately recorded a message and that message was sent to Bayit Yehudi supporters in Elad, resulting in a sharp increase in voter turnout. He credits his efforts and party’s support for Yisrael Porush for the latter’s victory.
“We cooperate with the chareidim. We had total cooperation with Shas and the Ashkenazi chareidim in Tel Aviv and there was success. We hope for increased cooperation on the national level as well. We will not block the chareidim from coming into the coalition. if the prime minister turns to us we will not object. Their entering the coalition is in the prime minister’s hands.”
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
The only reason there was no achdus is Bennett himself because he forced a list on Jerusalem just like he did in Beit Shemesh.
Maybe they will learn from this that listening to the local chapter of the party is important for success.