The negotiations for the formation of the government between the Likud party and the parties of the right-wing bloc continue. After the signing with the “Otzma Yehudit” party, the agreement with the “Religious Zionist” party was also signed last night. In the meantime, Member of Knesset David Bitan, was interviewed this evening (Friday) on Channel 12 and attacked the designated Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahuon the management of the negotiations.
At the beginning of the conversation, Bitan referred to the agreement with the Knesset member, Bezalel Smotrich, that his party would receive the Ministry of Finance in rotation and other ministries. Bitan said that “I don’t understand why they bothered with him for two weeks, they gave him everything he wanted from the beginning, and even more. It was not appropriate, the Likud was hurt, the state was hurt, but this is the negotiation, unfortunately. He didn’t just get the Ministry of Finance, but Also a third from the Ministry of Defense, half from the Ministry of Transportation or the Ministry of Education, these are the significant files.”
Bitan added that “Netanyahu wanted to have many ministers from the Likud, so that within the government, he could make decisions that are ultimately government decisions, and are the ones that move the cart. What is the result? We gave up a lot of cases, especially the important ones. Even within our cases that we received, We gave a share. It’s not only to Smotrich, but also to Agodat Israel and Shas. In the Knesset, too, we gave up most of the important committees.”
According to Bitan, “I don’t think it’s appropriate. From the point of view of the Likud, this negotiation is not an appropriate thing, we have given away all the influence. Netanyahu is not consulting anyone and this is a real problem. He started in such a way that he must give up so that the government will be formed quickly.”
Benjamin Netanyahu, Bezalel Smotrich (photo: Likud spokespersons)After that, he referred to Netanyahu’s desire to enact a flash law to undo the Likud split. Bitan attacked and said: “What message is Netanyahu sending, ‘I will decide what I want, and I don’t trust you to stay in Likud. So first of all, we stayed in Likud, and all the members of the Knesset, even when we were in the opposition. We stayed in Likud and supported it and strengthened it. And now, on What does he have to fear? I’m not worried. For my part, let him eliminate all possibilities, that it won’t be possible to split at all. I suggest that he should not be afraid of those who have been in the Likud since the age of zero, those who entered as soon as they received the position of minister. He has nothing to worry about me or Israel Katz.
At the end, Bitan was asked if Netanyahu is paranoid. According to him, “It’s not a problem of paranoia, it’s fear. He’s afraid. The only ones who are blackmailing him are the other parties. He’s conducting the negotiations and no one is pushed, they expect him to take care of the Likud, but he’s not doing that. We announced that we would support the government in any case, on my part I didn’t will bring nothing to anyone. He is afraid that people will not support the establishment of the government, this is nonsense. The fact that he thinks that this might happen is a shame and disgrace and it insults all the members of the Knesset.