Reports differ on whether Yamina chief's decision to join coalition with 'change bloc' final; if it goes ahead, move would see Netanyahu removed from power
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) in the Knesset on July 29, 2013, with Naftali Bennett (left) and Gideon Sa ar. (Miriam Alster/FLASH90/File)
Faced with the immediate prospect of being ousted from office, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday made a last-ditch offer to New Hope party leader Gideon Sa’ar and Yamina chief Naftali Bennett in hopes of preventing them from forming a government with centrist and left-wing parties.
The Ynet news site cited sources in Yamina as saying that if Sa’ar accepts the offer, “a right-wing government will be formed.”
However, Sa’ar said in response that his party’s “position and commitment was, and remains, to replace the Netanyahu government,” adding that the proposal was “spin.” The Walla news site said that Sa’ar was under serious pressure from MK Ze’ev Elkin to accept the offer.
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Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked attend a press conference in Ramat Gan, July 21, 2019. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)
The Israeli political system was on edge Saturday night amid swirling reports that the Yamina party was preparing to announce its backing for the formation of a government that will see Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu removed from power.
According to Channel 12 news, Yamina No. 2 Ayelet Shaked, who in recent days had been seen as a key holdout on joining the so-called “change bloc,” has agreed with party leader Naftali Bennett to join a power-sharing government led by Bennett and Yesh Atid chief Yair Lapid, who will rotate the premiership between them.