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Photo: Motti Kimchi
Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz
Photo: Motti Kimchi

Erdan, Steinitz urge Netanyahu not to appoint Katz as Finance Minister

After Netanyahu reportedly promises Katz he would assume control of finance portfolio after Likud primaries, ministers Erdan, Steinitz call on PM not to give him the job; senior Likud minster warns of 'political deals' ahead of primaries.

Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz and Interior Minister Gilad Erdan urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prevent the appointment of Likud minister Yisrael Katz as Finance Minister after the party's early primaries on December 31, according to reports that emerged Friday.

 

 

After the Knesset voted to dissolve itself earlier this week, Steinitz and Erdan approached Netanyahu and asked for clarification regarding the possibility that the Transportation Minister would take control of the finance portfolio at this early stage. Netanyahu's adviser assured the concerned ministers that no ministers would be promoted or appointed to posts until the elections are over.

 

Erdan, Netanyahu and Katz (Photos: Alex Kolomoisky, Emil Salman) (Photos: Alex Kolomoisky, Emil Salman))
Erdan, Netanyahu and Katz (Photos: Alex Kolomoisky, Emil Salman)

 

However, Katz reportedly received a promise from Netanyahu that he would assume control of the finance portfolio immediately after the Likud primaries, in 19 days. Katz is considered close to Prime Minister Netanyahu, and as the Transportation Minister, he sees himself as the two top economic official of the Likud. Erdan and Steinitz also consider themselves as leading candidates for Finance Minister.

 

Meanwhile, rumors have been circulating within the Likud in recent days that a senior minister in the party presented an ultimatum to Netanyahu: either promise that I will be made a senior minister on behalf of the Likud in the next government, or I will not participate in the primaries.

 

Several ministers who have been named in this context denied that they presented such conditions to Netanyahu or that they had considered not participating in the party's primary elections.

 

Another issue that concerns Likud ministers is the voting method for the Likud primary elections. At present, it appears that the vote will not be submitted via computer, but rather will be conducted in written form.

 

"This increases the possibility of political deals," a senior minister in the Likud said. "There will be elimination lists and recommended lists, and the heads of the strongest groups will send people to vote with pre-marked ballots. There will be eliminations and political deals," he added.

 

Recently there has also been a change in the position of Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, who has demanded clarifications from the prime minister regarding his continued handling of the defense portfolio if the Likud wins the next elections, after reports emerged that Netanyahu promised Bayit Yehudi leader Bennett the Defense Ministry.

 

While Ya'alon has received a number of flattering public opinion polls, his political position has weakened within the Likud, due to the manner in which the results of Operation Protective Edge are perceived. "He is highly appreciated," a senior party official said, adding, however, that Likud ministers "have a problem with him. They expected that he would eliminate barriers caused by Ehud Barak; there were expectations that he would unravel court tangles and assist in advancing (settlement) construction, but he has not done that."

 

The minister added that "they expected different results from him in the war. There was a two-month-long war here against a terror organization, with a defense minister that was afraid to visit the area. This created deep disappointment, and it is likely that they will settle accounts with him."

 

On Wednesday, the Likud voted to hold early primaries, in a move which was seen as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's attempt to respond to the possibility that popular politician Gideon Sa'ar may challenge him for the leadership. However, former interior minister Sa'ar has announced that he will not challenge Netanyahu for the party's leadership, thus ending speculations he would try to oust Netanyahu from his own party before Israel goes to elections this March.

 

Moran Azulay contributed to this report.

 


פרסום ראשון: 12.13.14, 10:31
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