Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conducts what the media is describing as crisis talks with government coalition leaders on Monday as speculation continues that an election is imminent over fraying relations within the government.
Recent divisions in Netanyahu’s coalition peaked last week when Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid and Tzipi Livni’s Hatnuah factions virulently opposed the controversial so-called ‘Jewish State’ bill.
Proponents of the legislation say it would enshrine Israel’s identity as a Jewish State, but opponents say it would denigrate minority communities. Netanyahu presented his version of the bill to the cabinet on Sunday but the Knesset, Israel's parliament,could debate a separate version of the legislation on Wednesday.
With coalition disagreement continuing over a number of other issues too including the 2015 budget, Finance Minister Yair Lapid criticised Netanyahu at a symposium on Saturday, saying, “Everything is stuck and the Prime Minister just stands on the side … Housing is stuck, the budget is stuck and our international relations are deteriorating.”
In a thinly veiled reference to Lapid’s criticism, Netanyahu said during Sunday's cabinet meeting, “We need governmental stability and proper administration … Unfortunately this is not what we have seen recently.” He criticised “lashing out by ministers in the government against the government and the person at its head.”
In a nod towards elections, Netanyahu said that proper ministerial conduct “is the only way to run a state, and if not we will draw the conclusions.”
It was reported last week that Netanyahu had approached ultra-Orthodox Knesset parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism to request their support for a new government under his leadership if new elections are held.
Daily newspaper Maariv suggested Monday that Netanyahu is closing in on such a deal.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu is set to meet Lapid, Livni and Jewish Home leader Naftali Bennett after having met with Yisrael Beitenu head Avigdor Lieberman. Sources close to Netanyahu are quoted describing the meeting with Lapid in particular as a “last chance” to see if there is enough common ground to hold the coalition together.