Minister Regev body shames MK Bitan
The meeting of the Likud ministers with the participation of Benjamin Netanyahu became a dramatic exchange of accusations between Coalition Chairman David Bitan and Culture Minister Miri Regev.
In the presence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Bitan raised the issue of budget cuts, claiming that ministers and MKs were absent from the vote without offsetting the opposition. He raised complaints against Regev about a large number of budget cuts with opposition members, some of which he said were unnecessary and were not honored by the opposition.
Bitan said: "You should know that I'm fed up with your behavior. There is the Norwegian law and anyone who doesn't like it can leave the Knesset and stay only in his ministry. Remember that you are a Knesset Member first and foremost. Your cuts don't cut it."
Regev continued: "I'm a minister, and I have many issues to deal with on behalf of my office." At the end of the meeting, her confidants accused Bitan of approving budget cuts only according to his own personal considerations. "The time has come to stop being afraid of him," said Regev's people. "None of the ministers dare answer him even when he is mistaken."
At the height of the argument, Bitan addressed Netanyahu and asked him to penalize Regev. Netanyahu did not rebuke her but slapped the table, saying, "I ask that cuts be made only with the approval of Bitan."
(Translated and edited by N. Elias. Title courtesy of J. Hertzog)
