Some feel the statements released by Bayit Yehudi MK Betzalel Smotrich is a testimony to his inexperience while others opine he is simply airing party leader Naftali Bennett’s position.
Smotrich stated that if Deputy Defense Minister Rabbi Eli Ben-Dahan is not given authority over the Civil Administration throughout Yehuda and Shomron as stipulated in the coalition agreement, his party will not remain in the coalition. He accuses the prime minister of stripping Bayit Yehudi ministers of their authority by circumventing theirs positions with his own appointments.
At the heart of the problem is Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon’s refusal to hand over the authority over the Civil Administration from his office to his new deputy minister, explaining the sensitive situation that exists in Yehuda and Shomron compel him to hold on to the authority over the Civil Administration.
Smotrich made his remarks during an interview with Kol Berama Radio on Tuesday, Rosh Chodesh Sivan. He explained coalition agreements must be adhered to, adding Ya’alon is part of Likud, which signed the agreement and the party is required to abide by that agreement.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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4 Responses
The days in and already people ate starting to threaten to walk out. Howe long can a 61 seat coalition last?
“Pray for the welfare of the government, for without fear of governmental authorities people would swallow each other alive” (Pirkey Avot 3:2).
This Bennet guy makes the fox seem like a whimp!
Netanyahu should stop playing games and reneging on promises to all the coalition partners, if he wants the government to last.