Ultra-Orthodox instrumental in dissolution of Israel's government
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's decision to dissolve the Israeli Knesset and go for new elections could have perhaps been avoided, had he made more efforts to include the ultra-Orthodox in his coalition.
Coalition head Benjamin Netanyahu and his ultra-Orthodox allies did not hide their satisfaction today over Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid's decision to dissolve the Knesset next week. In fact, analysts explained that it was because of the Likud’s intention to present a non-confidence vote on Wednesday that Bennett and Lapid decided what they did. They preferred to take action themselves and control the political developments over the humiliation of a non-confidence vote forced upon them by the opposition.
After the Bennett-Lapid statement, Netanyahu was quick to make a statement of his own, announcing he intends to establish a new government. Still, as abovementioned, there were other forces at work beside him.
In fact, doing his work for him were his two political warhorses, Ultra-Orthodox Knesset Member Moshe Gafni, and Chairman of ultra-Orthodox Shas (who currently does not serve in the Knesset) Aryeh Deri. For several days, the two together, and separately, worked to bring down the government.
Indeed, Gafni was seen coming in and out of Knesset offices throughout June 20, apparently in feverish talks with Yamina Knesset member Nir Orbach. The intention of Orbach to side with the opposition at some point in a non-confidence vote against the government was apparently a key element pushing Bennett to take the dramatic decision.
