Naftali Bennett
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Habayit Hayehudi rejects PM's portfolio offer
Bennett's party dismisses Likud's initial proposal; says it means to 'drive a wedge in alliance with Yesh Atid'
Habayit Hayehudi Chairman Naftali Bennett has reportedly rejected the portfolio offers made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to his party as part of the coalition talks.
The faction met Wednesday to discuss the offer, later telling Ynet that "The prime minister's generous offer has been rejected," and adding that it seemed as if the offer was designed to "drive a wedge" in the political alliance struck with Yesh Atid.
Related Stories
- Netanyahu, Bennett to meet for first time in 5 years
- Lapid: Haredi rabbis' dominance over marriage 'insulting'
- Lapid: Don’t threaten us with civil war
Other party sources said that Habayit Hayehudi's negotiating team only found out about the offer – which reportedly included the Education Portfolio, a senior financial post and possibly the Religious Affairs Portfolio or the deputy defense minister position – from the media.
The official offer was made 24 later, and was rejected without delay.
"This is a trick and we won't fall for it," a member of Habayit Hayehudi said. "We've learned from past mistakes and Netanyahu's intentions are clear."
The party stressed that it will not negotiate the distribution of portfolios until Netanyahu outline his future government's guidelines and priorities.
"We won't hear of it before hand, and when we do it would be best if we're not approached through the media," he added. "In any case, we don’t respond well to ultimatums."
An official with Yesh Atid echoed the sentiment, saying that Netanyahu's attempt to "divide and conquer" was clear and had "No chance of working."
Attila Somfalvi contributed to this report
- Receive Ynetnews updates
directly to your desktop
