Once again Bayit Yehudi leader Economy Minister Naftali Bennett is at odds with coalition partner Finance Minister Yair Lapid, who heads the Yesh Atid Party. Lapid this week froze money that was intended for the Housing Ministry and construction in Yehuda and Shomron. Lapid’s move seems to be a retaliatory effort against Bennett as the latter opposes the new surrogacy bill sponsored by Health Minister Yael German, who is a member of Lapid’s party.

The bill intends to pass a law permitting to’eva couples to ‘bring children into the world’ as it were R”L. Lapid for an added measure also states he is unwilling to accept “the lack of transparency” that accompanies funds allocated to Yehuda and Shomron.

The situation came to a head when Finance Committee Chairman (Bayit Yehudi) Nissim Slomiansky on Tuesday, 29 Nissan noticed that Yesh Atid retracted a vote that was set to be held regarding 40 million shekels. The sum was to be given to the Housing Minister, which is headed by Minister (Bayit Yehudi) Uri Ariel.

Lapid accuses Ariel of acting like the “minister of settlements” and he is demanding total transparency regarding government funds spent over the Green Line.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)