Israel Matzav

Lapid to be thrown out of coalition in favor of Haredim?

Knesset Coalition Chairman MK Yariv Levin (Likud) on Saturday indicated in a TV interview that the coalition may be in for a shake-up in the near future - and that "childish" Finance Minister Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid) does not have high chances of being invited back in.

"We must weigh the possibility of a change in the coalition composition through the addition of the haredi parties," Levin told Channel 10. "It might be that there's no choice but to leave Lapid out."

Lapid has long been at odds with the hareidi parties of Shas and United Torah Judaism (UTJ), particularly through his push for the Enlistment Law requiring a mandatory hareidi IDF draft, and recently through his 0% VAT bill that would give those who serve in the IDF benefits buying their first home.

The latter bill has received such harsh criticism that one hareidi MK from UTJ recently threatened "apartheid" Israel with an "Arab rebellion" over the bill.

Levin also slammed Lapid for his statements during Operation Protective Edge in Gaza; not long after Israel reached a ceasefire with the terrorist group Hamas, Lapid called for a return to the "diplomatic" process, urging a return to peace talks.

"If such not serious, irresponsible and even childish behavior continues, then we certainly must consider the possibility of a change in the composition (of the coalition)," said Levin, subtly targeting Lapid.

The Coalition Chairman added that because of the need to consider a change, he is not worried about Lapid's threats last Wednesday to quit the coalition if taxes are raised following Operation Protective Edge.

Labels: Haredim, Shas, United Torah Judaism party, Yair Lapid, Yesh Atid party

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 1:08 AM