In an interview with the Ynet studio, he called the metro laws and the visa waiver for the United States controversial, and said that they should not be passed just before the dissolution of the Knesset. Certainly in the medium and long term, we need to get out of this coalition. ”
“This plan is complex, sensitive. The one who completes it is the one who started it – the Likud. We are not delaying the planning. The planning will be completed in orderly committees, in a proper democratic process and not under pressure. We are not under pressure because we are not delaying the project.”
Barkat rejected the reports of pressure exerted by members of the Likud Center on the metro and said that “if I have to encourage Smutrich who was transport minister and say it will not delay the plan because in the meantime it is in the planning process anyway, or believe this government, then I believe Smutrich and the professionals “I talked to them, who say there is no real delay here. It’s all politics and the completion of this plan can be postponed until we enter power.”
The Knesset member was asked about the coalition’s accusations regarding the date of the election, which the opposition prefers to set on October 25 so that yeshiva students can easily get to the polls and therefore condition support for the metro and visa exemption – and evaded. “There are issues that need to be discussed seriously when it comes to Israel’s security. The government is very permissive, and we are more careful.” When asked again he replied that “there is a more substantive matter that needs to be discussed”.
After recent polls showed a decline in Yuli Edelstein’s status in the party, Barkat was asked if he believed he would finish in first place in the party’s internal election. “It is a great privilege to participate in the primaries, to be accountable, to explain,” the MK said. “I show everyone what I believe. “I will accept Dean’s vote and hope to be in a good position, and whatever the Likud public chooses, I will thank him for his support and we will move on.”