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Bennett slams Netanyahu but stays in government
Jewish Home leader Naftali Bennett slammed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the security situation this morning, but failed to carry out his threat to leave the Government.
In a much anticipated press conference alongside Jewish Home minister Ayelet Shaked, Bennett criticised the Netanyahu government saying “something bad is happening on the inside, including during the last decade in Netanyahu’s governments – the State of Israel stopped winning.” Despite the heavy criticism of Netanyahu, Bennett said he would “stand by the prime minister’s side” in the position of Defence Minister in an effort to improve Israel’s “deep security crisis.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu last night called on his coalition partners not to bring down the government. He advised them to consider current circumstances, saying “we are in one of the most complex security periods.” Appealing indirectly to Bennett and Shaked, Netanyahu urged both that “now is not the time for toppling the government. We are in the midst of a war, and one doesn’t desert now and play politics. State security is above politics and personal calculations. It is irresponsible to bring down the government. When dealing with issues of life and death and issues of the state’s existence, there is no place for politics and personal calculations.”
On Sunday, Netanyahu met with Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon to discuss the future of the coalition. Kahlon has said it is up to Netanyahu to choose his defence minister, but that he does not believe the coalition can function with only 61 members and therefore backs early elections. The meeting ended inconclusively, and the two are to meet again later this week.
Prime Minister Netanyahu is likely to appoint a new Foreign Minister this week. He has held the post since 2015 but is expected to give it up after taking on the Defence Ministry last week. The second portfolio previously held by Yisrael Beiteinu, the Ministry of Immigration Absorption vacated by Sofa Landver, could be given to Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely.