At the beginning of this fateful week, a week that will likely determine the future of the coalition government, Yesh Atid party leader Yair Lapid continues to place the blame for the coalition stalemate on Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. “Everything is stuck and he continues to stand by the side” Lapid stated on Shabbos during a Shabbos cultural event at a Tel Aviv venue.

“There are the state budget, Israel’s international relations, personal security, housing, and instead we are dealing with petty issues, polls, and political survival” stated Lapid. He feels the current political crisis is the “last stand of the nation’s old politics,” which is fighting not to become extinct, referring to the budget, political power and interests. He blames five Likud MKs who maintain strong positions in the Likud Central Committee with holding the entire nation hostage as well as holding political leaders at bay. “The [2015 state] budget is stuck because those very same five people are pressuring the prime minister not to accept it”, Lapid added.

When asked why he does not leave the coalition and join the opposition, Lapid explained ‘Because I prefer to remain here and do something. I could not give free pharmaceuticals to Holocaust survivors from the opposition. Last month, for the first time since 2007, the price of an apartment dropped. The trend is a positive one but now the folks from the Likud Central Committee come and stop it. The state budget is being held hostage by political askanim. If I announce breaking from the coalition there will be celebration in the Likud Central Committee because they will all get to keep their jobs. I am not afraid of elections”.

Regarding reports of efforts to create an alternate coalition Lapid stated, “Utter nonsense. I am not an idiot. The chareidim will never go with me, especially after succeeding to pass the share the burden bill [compelling chareidim induction into the IDF].”

Likud officials responding to Lapid’s statements said “There is no limit to Lapid’s two-faces. On the one hand he speaks about new politics and on the other hand he is busy with the old politics in its fullest capacity. After failing in dealing with the economy he is now trying to pass a budget that harms the IDF, national security and to advance a bill that will not lower the price of housing but improve things for contractors who are close to him and his party. Lapid went behind our backs and turned to the chareidi parties hoping to orchestrate a coup”.

On Sunday, 8 Kislev, it was reported Lapid canceled a planned meeting with the prime minister, telling loyalists Mr. Netanyahu has cut him off and there is no longer a dialogue between them.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)