Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his rival-turned-partner Benny Gantz postponed the swearing-in of their controversial new government till next Sunday due to infighting within the Likud party regarding the portfolios.
Ahead of the swearing-in ceremony, Likud ministers informed Netanyahu that they will boycott the vote – Gantz, therefore, pushed towards postponing the swearing-in and then withdrew his resignation from the Knesset, a clear sign to a trust issue between the two.
Netanyahu is facing serious infighting regarding the distribution of ministerial portfolios, although the ministers tally reached 36 – the highest in the history of Israeli governments.
For example, Netanyahu broke apart the Union of Right-Wing Parties and assigned Rafi Peretz, the outgoing education minister, as a minister of Jerusalem Affairs as well as authority in settlement issues. Yamina MK Peretz walked away from his right-wing alliance to join Netanyahu’s government but the latter edged him out because he promised the ministry to Likud MK David Amsalem.
In addition to Amsalem, several current ministers had eyes on better positions while others objected over losing their seats at the government.
Meanwhile, religious parties Shas and United Torah Judaism threatened to boycott voting because the status-quo permanent term wasn’t annexed with the new government major concerns. Due to this, the government’s quest to acquire approval on Thursday evening was hindered.
Experts see that the approval possibility is almost impossible because the government should showcase all its cards 48 hours before. If no agreement was reached on Friday, then a new delay is mandatory.
Moreover, a total of 3,000 citizens – most of them are Arabs – protested in front of the Knesset’s headquarters in objection over the government’s intention to impose the Israeli sovereignty on occupied Palestinian lands.
Also, heads and staff of local Arab and Druze authorities in addition to Circassians’ complained over hindering the release of funds to fill in the gap – which proves discrimination.
