In an appearance on Channel 2’s Meet the Press program on motzei Shabbos Parshas Toldos 5774, Minister of Intelligence & Strategic Affairs Dr. Yuval Steinitz stated that Bayit Yehudi leader Minister Naftali Bennett voted in favor of the terrorist release.

Steinitz explained that he heard a conversation between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State John Kerry in which Mr. Netanyahu explained he cannot give the green light for the terrorist release until all the coalition partners are on board. At the time, prior to the release, the prime minister indicated he was waiting for Bayit Yehudi approval, which was subsequently given.

Steinitz added that media statements from the dati leumi party that it objected to the terrorist release were untrue “to put it mildly” as he stated, insisting if Bennett would not have supported the deal it could not have passed. He added the ministers had a heavy heart but preferred the release of the terrorists over another construction freeze and those were the available options.

Bayit Yehudi officials responding to Steinitz’s statements stated “Bennett was among the few who voted against the terrorist release. However, when presented the plan, he stated he would vote against it but added he would not resign from the cabinet in protest.”

Yisrael Hayom adds that a source close to Bennett added “Steinitz was among the ministers who voted in favor so he would be wise not to give mussar to Bennett.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)