Tensions Rise in Israeli Knesset Over Potential Dissolution
The Chairman of the Finance Committee and Degal HaTorah Party, MK Moshe Gafni, hinted at the possibility of the Knesset's dissolution during a committee discussion on Monday. The exchange began when MK Noor Shiri of the Yesh Atid movement raised concerns about unprotected buildings in northern Israel, to which Gafni responded, 'My power is weak.' Shiri suggested, 'If you are weak, you can disperse this building,' prompting Gafni to reply, 'That's where we're going.'
Criticism of Prime Minister Netanyahu
Gafni's comments come in the wake of his criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. On Saturday night, Gafni condemned a statement from the Prime Minister's Office regarding talks in Qatar, which were announced during Shabbat. 'There was no sign of soul control in it,' Gafni remarked, adding, 'I condemn it completely, a completely unnecessary message while desecrating Shabbat.' The Prime Minister's Office had reported that the head of Mossad returned from Doha after initial meetings with mediators and that gaps remained between the negotiating parties.
Strained Relations Among Coalition Partners
The tension between ultra-Orthodox parties and the Prime Minister has been escalating due to several issues. Among them is the 'Rabbi Law,' which was not put to a vote in the Constitutional Committee, and the ultra-Orthodox factions' disappointment over Likud's lack of support on recruitment matters. Gafni had previously threatened to resign from his position as Chairman of the Finance Committee if the issue of salaries for teachers in ultra-Orthodox educational institutions was not resolved. Additionally, Gafni criticized the Ministries of Finance and Economy for their inaction on rising prices in the economy, stating, 'The Ministry of Finance is not doing anything about the price increase, nor is the Ministry of Economy. The government has suffered a complete failure.'
- During a heated discussion in the Finance Committee on Monday, MK Noor Shiri of Yesh Atid addressed the problem of unprotected educational buildings in northern Israel. Gafni's response, 'My power is weak,' led to Shiri suggesting the dissolution of the Knesset, to which Gafni cryptically replied, 'That's where we're going.'
- Gafni's criticism of Prime Minister Netanyahu over the Shabbat announcement of Mossad head's return from Doha highlights the ongoing friction between the ultra-Orthodox parties and the Prime Minister. Gafni condemned the timing of the announcement, calling it a desecration of Shabbat.
- The strained relations within the coalition are further exacerbated by the ultra-Orthodox parties' dissatisfaction with the handling of the 'Rabbi Law' and recruitment issues. Gafni's previous threats to resign and his criticism of the government's economic policies underscore the deepening divisions.
