Bayit Yehudi party leader Education Minister Naftali Bennett has reportedly told Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu that if he takes the Justice Ministry portfolio from Ayelet Shaked, his party will break from the coalition. Bennett’s threat comes amid rumors that Mr. Netanyahu and Machane Tzioni leader MK Yitzchak Herzog are conducting secret talks to bring the 24-seat opposition party into the coalition.

Haaretz reports that in closed discussions with PM Netanyahu, Bennett told him that “if you take the justice portfolio from us, we will not remain in the coalition”. The report adds that Bennett explained the portfolio is key to remaining in the coalition as per the coalition agreements and the matter is not a personal one.

Haaretz also quotes a Likud source confirming the Justice Ministry portfolio is indeed an option on the negotiating table, adding “all parties must make concessions for the good of the coalition”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)