Netanyahu invites extreme right-wing politicians to join coalition
Effort met with surprise in light of Netanyahu’s intention to announce far-reaching diplomatic initiative in U.S., including transfer of West Bank territory to PA.
By Yossi Verter, HAARETZ
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has offered to have some members of the right-wing National Union Party join his coalition and the cabinet.
The proposed move comes shortly before the prime minister is expected to deliver a major diplomatic policy speech in the United States in May or even earlier, either to a joint session of Congress or at the convention of the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
Netanyahu has been engaged in talks recently with National Union faction chief Yaakov Katz over the prospect of Katz joining the coalition along with party colleagues Uri Ariel and perhaps Aryeh Eldad.
The prime minister did not ask the National Union’s fourth MK, Michael Ben Ari, who is identified with the late Meir Kahane’s extremist Kach movement, to join the coalition.
At this time, the discussions have run aground because the prime minister has refused Katz’s demand that Netanyahu publicly declare an intention to carry out large-scale building in Jerusalem and in the West Bank settlement of Ma’aleh Adumim just outside the city.
In the course of the talks, there was discussion of Katz being appointed a cabinet portfolio, either as social affairs minister or as minister for the development of the Negev and Galilee.
The social affairs portfolio is temporarily being filled by Communications Minister Moshe Kahlon, while Vice Prime Minister Silvan Shalom is serving as minister for the development of the Negev and Galilee.
A source close to the prime minister said no agreement had yet been struck with the members of the National Union because “Netanyahu is a man of principles.”
Nonetheless the effort has been met with surprise in the political establishment in light of the prime minister’s intention to announce a far-reaching diplomatic initiative while in the United States, to include the transfer of additional West Bank territory to the Palestinian Authority’s control.
The overture to National Union MKs is seen as a reflection of Netanyahu’s view that there is no chance of having Kadima or a portion of the centrist faction join the coalition.
ROTFLMAO!!!!!
What a disappointing read after the headline! The headline makes you think that Bibi was shoring up his nationalist support for a potentially amazing announcement when he gets to the US. The Orwellian named “peace process” is finished – anyone that doesn’t like it can go pound sand. Do it Bibi! You know you want to!
(Harry:) “Hey Joe! You want to come to my birthday party?”
(Joe:) “That might be nice. Tell me more about it.”
(Harry:) “Well, you gotta bring your own beer and sandwich makings. And when everybody starts singing the Happy Birthday song, I need you to promise you’ll sing in tune. And no disappearing into a bedroom to make out with one of the girls. Okay?”
(Joe:) “Maybe some other time, Harry. I suddenly remembered I have something else to do on your birthday.”
(Harry:) “I was just trying to be nice to you Joe. Joe? Now where in hell did he disappear to so suddenly?”
Arnold Harris
Mount Horeb WI
Gee…who to believe? The hairball regurgitating Haaretz or the persecuted and out to sea Arutz Sheva? We report you decide.
I guess one has to decide whose spin is more credible.
HaAretz claims BB didn’t invite Ben Ari, and Ben Ari claims he reuses to join.
Report: PM Tried to Recruit National Union for Govt
A report in Ha’aretz Thursday morning said that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu had offered the National Union to enter his coalition. The effort fell apart over his refusal to declare that building could take place in the Jerusalem area, the report said.
According to the report, most of the party’s Mks would have joined the coalition, although MK Michael Ben-Ari, who represents the Eretz Yisrael Shelanu faction of the party, refused to do so. If the party had joined, National Union Chairman MK Ya’akov Katz (Ketzaleh) would have likely been named Welfare Minister, or Minister for the Development of the Galilee and Negev.
Ketzaleh, who is abroad, did not immediately comment on the report.
Boy does that exclusion stand out. Ben Ari punked Likud recently and so they’re probably still feeling a little…punked.
What a farce, from both sides.
Katz demands building in Jerusalem and Ma’aleh Adumin. And what about removing the freeze in Judea and Samaria? Ah, but you gotta compromise if you want to enter the coalition? pffffft
And of course, Netanyahu can’t even promise to build in Ma’aleh Adumin – and not even in Jerusalem.