Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu implored his coalition-partners not to topple his government, especially at a time in which “Israel faces one of the most complex security periods.” Following a series of meetings over the weekend with Habayit Hayehudi Chairman Naftali Bennett and Kulanu Chairman Moshe Khalon, Netanyahu underscored his determination to continue protecting the state and citizens of Israel. “We are preparing for all challenges. As I mentioned last night, we are in the midst of an operational (security) campaign that has yet come to an end. And during a sensitive security period, it is irresponsible to topple the government. Whether our partners decide to topple the government, or not, we will continue to act, to assure the security of our country and our citizens,” Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu’s comments, which were made during a Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, came just half-an-hour after the Jewish Home Faction leader, Education Minister Naftali Bennett, announced his decision to remain in Netanyahu’s government. The Education Minister explained that regardless of his disagreement with the Prime Minister over the policy he adopted with regard to Israel’s response to the terror that emanated from the Gaza Strip; Netanyahu’s promise ‘to change Jerusalem’s course of action’, which will effectively lead the country in a direction of significant power in the face of its enemies, was the assurance Bennett required to remain part of the fragile coalition. “During a phone conversation on Friday I clarified to the Prime Minister that I do not, in any way, present him with an ultimatum and I accepted with great appreciation his statement that he sees me as a worthy candidate for the position of Defense Minister. In practice, however, Netanyahu – due to his own reasons – decided to take the job for himself. In his speech Netanyahu promised the Israeli public to change course, to lead a revolution in (national) security, to steer a 10-year course in a direction of power,” Bennet said.
Minister Bennett stressed that while his faction understands the political toll it is expected to pay for its decision to stay in the government, the Jewish Home Party will provide the Prime Minister with the demanded assistance in the “tremendous task” of bolstering Israel’s security standing. “If the Prime Minister is serious about his intentions, and I would like to believe his words last night, therefore I am telling the Prime Minister, we are removing all of our political demands at this moment and we will stand ready to assist you in this tremendous task. That Israel will get back to winning. I presume I will pay a certain political cost in the coming hours and days. Never mind, we will get over it. It is better for the Prime Minister to win over me in a political battle then Haniyeh to win over the state of Israel,” Bennet said.
The surprising turn of events, which is expected to see Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government – which rests on a majority of 61 out of 120 Knesset members – survive for the time-being; came after the experienced Israeli leader held a televised speech to the nation last night, during which he apparently managed to convince his partners to remain loyal. Netanyahu reiterated that while he understands the national sentiment with regard to – what appears to be – a capitulation to the terror organizations in Gaza – tough decisions must be made “away from the public eye.” “Today I assume, for the first time, the position of Defense Minister. I know that I assume this role amid criticism on Israel’s defense policy. I want to tell you, citizens of Israel, I understand your hearts. A significant portion of the criticism emanates from the fact that for understandable reasons we cannot present you with the broad picture that is viewed by the (IDF) Chief of Staff, IDF Generals, the ISA and Mossad Directors and me, too. We cannot simply present it. That is why you can only view a partial image of a broad operational campaign, which is still evolving, and that I am committed to complete – to provide security to Israel’s residents in the south and elsewhere,” Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu stressed that due to the sensitivity of the situation, it is imperative to preserve the government – while underscoring that any decision to choose political or personal decisions was plainly irresponsible. “Regarding security, I made difficult decisions, some very hard decisions, which I bear the full responsibility for, and when one makes such decisions you deal with matters of life and death, with matters (which sometimes) deal with the very existence of the state. In matters such as these, there is no room for politics. No room for personal interests,“ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
“In my experience I tell you that we are standing in one of the most complex security periods. And in a time as this you do not topple a government. At a time as this you do not go to elections. It’s irresponsible. We have an entire year until the elections. We are in the midst of a campaign and in the midst of a campaign you do not flee. In the midst of a campaign you do not play politics. Israel’s security is above politics it is above personal interests,” Netanyahu said.