Bayit Yehudi party chairman Minister Naftali Bennet in an interview with Ulpan Shishi addressed the recent events, his ultimatum to resign from the government and his press conference, in which he announced he is remaining in the government and has dropped all demands. He explained Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu got him in a checkmate, admitting that he lost this round, but it was nothing more than ‘a tap on the wing’ as he put it.

Bennet reviewed the sequent of events, explaining how the Defense portfolio was promised to him and he was specific, telling Mr. Netanyahu he was not giving an ultimatum, but it was very important for him to receive the post. Bennet feels it will be most difficult for PM Netanyahu to function as Defense Minister as well, stating he has more than enough on his plate as prime minister and now, to add the events in Gaza is too much.

Bennet feels he should receive the defense post, explaining “This is what I am good out. Taking something that is dying and to breath life into it, to refresh it. I did it with the party and in high tech and brought success in math and science [as Education Minister] after a decade of decline [in those areas]. I want to do it as Defense Minister, but I am happy as Education Minister”.

He stressed that ultimately, he decided to place the good of the state above politics and he dropped all demands and continued to permit the coalition to continue functioning.

Regarding reports that he consulted with rabbonim, including HaRav Chaim Druckman before reaching his decision, he stated this was not the case as he reached the decision to drop all demands on his own.

Bennet feels the next government will be led once again by PM Netanyahu, and he predicts the rope will be pulling both to the right and left-wings, and he will be there to take it to the right.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)