We begin this report with a number of facts that may not be known to all. For one thing, there are ongoing tensions between Bayit Yehudi leader Naftali Bennett and his party members from the Tekuma faction; Uri Ariel and Betzalel Smotrich.

Bennett would be glad to rid himself of them as they often do not see eye-to-eye. Ariel spoke with Kol Chai Radio, expressing disapproval of his party constantly challenging the Prime Minister. On Tuesday, Ariel spoke with Galei Tzahal (Army Radio), and told a similar story. When asked about ongoing tensions with party leader Bennett, Ariel declined to comment regarding tensions on a personal level, compelling the conversation to address facts and not personalities. Ariel would also not comment on the recently-resolved coalition crisis created by Bennett other than to say it was unnecessary and unfortunate. He did mention Bennett did not receive his goal and in essence, the entire matter was futile and almost led to the destruction of the coalition.

Ariel asked rhetorically “What was accomplished”, aware his party and the cabinet received nothing new for the National Security Council chief in the past would respond to cabinet ministers on any issue, so in essence, the Prime Minister just gave Bennett a way to climb down his high ladder before collapsing the coalition. Cabinet ministers have free access to the NSC director and his deputy, enabling them to be briefed before any cabinet meeting.

The bottom line is Bennett felt he had to act amid the realization that he was not going to be Foreign Minister or Defense Minister because his party only has eight seats. When he realized Avigdor Lieberman, with six seats, would be appointed Defense Minister, he felt compelled to act, to show voters he can get the Prime Minister to meet his demands. In hindsight one can see that once again, Bennett is a political novice and his success is extremely limited and likely to be very short-lived.

Now, with Lieberman in government Bennett can know with absolute certainty that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will strike the next blow at his first possible convenience.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)