Israel Matzav

Here comes the coalition crisis?

Israel Radio reported on Sunday morning that Bayit Yehudi leader Naftali Bennett will leave the government if Prime Minister Netanyahu makes the 'gestures' that US Secretary of State Kerry is trying to convince him to make.

The good will gestures that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is being asked to make in order to restart negotiations with the Palestinians could cause Naftali Bennett's Bayit Yehudi party to leave the coalition, Israel Radio quoted diplomatic sources in Jerusalem as saying on Sunday.

I doubt Bennett would actually leave the government - he's too attached to his seat. Even if he does leave the government, I don't believe that the more secularly oriented elements of his party - like Ayelet Shaked - would leave with him. And even if the entire Jewish Home party left the government, their place would probably just be taken by the Labor party anyway.

It would be far more significant if the 'gestures' would motivate a large chunk of the Likud's MK's to break off from the party and form their own faction. When that happens, call me. Until then... what could go wrong?

Labels: Binyamin Netanyahu, gestures, Jewish Home party, Naftali Bennett

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 11:42 AM