Bennett still waiting for call from PM

Immediately after exit poll results Netanyahu approached leaders of haredi parties but yet to call Habayit Hayehudi chairman considered 'a natural ally'

Ynet reporters |Published: 01.24.13 , 14:04

Since the election results were published on Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approached the leaders of Yesh Atid, Shas and the United Torah Judaism. But there is one party that has yet to receive a phone call – Habayit Hayehudi.

Sources in the Likud noted it was no secret that the prime minister's wife Sara Netanyahu is involved in the relationship between Bennett and her husband.

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She apparently holds a personal grudge against the Habayit Hayehudi chairman, who once served as Netanyahu's chief of staff. She had urged members of Habayit Hayehudi not to vote for Bennett when he ran for the party chairmanship.

"If it were up to her she would have already sent Bennett packing to the oposition," one Likud source said. "But ultimately Netanyahu will have to make a choice in order to establish a coalition despite the bad blood with Bennett."

A source at the Habayit Hayehudi remarked cynically, "It’s true that Netanyahu listens to Sara but more than that he loves being prime minister." The Prime Minister's bureau could not be reached for comment.

Meanwhile, it appears Habayit Hayehudi has won another Knesset seat following a tally of 70% of the soldiers' votes.