Israel Coalition Crisis- Blame it on Bennett

In some ways the not quite two year old Likud Binyamin Netanyahu Government #3 has lasted longer than could have been predicted. It's an unlikely mix of competing politicians from all different Israeli political ideologies. Pretty much none of the parties shared values and platforms during the campaign. That has made for a difficult to control government, even though Netanyahu made it clear that accepting his offer meant following coalition discipline.

Netanyahu's largest "partner" was the Bennett-Lapid, that's NRP aka Jewish Home and Yesh Atid (There's a Future,) which negotiated together, even though those parties' voters disagree about almost everything.

The Jewish Home and Yesh Atid parties have entered into a strategic alliance and notified Likud-Beytenu coalition negotiators that the two parties will either enter the government together or retire to the opposition
Read more: Jewish Home and Yesh Atid form united front | The Times of Israel http://www.timesofisrael.com/jewish-home-and-yesh-atid-form-united-front/#ixzz3KiR8rx14 Follow us: @timesofisrael on Twitter | timesofisrael on Facebook

The Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid political partnership was as unlikely as the movie "Stuck on You's" premise that non-identical twins could be co-joined. When you add the crucial fact that neither of those politicians had any real experience in politics, on the inside, it is no surprise that they, especially Lapid, has been the source of coalition problems for Bibi.

Cabinet, coalition members have a responsibility to the Prime Minister. Their being ministers doesn't give them the freedom to do whatever they want. Netanyahu has the perfect right to put conditions of what his Finance Minister can propose and promote.

During the meeting, Netanyahu told Lapid that the coalition cannot continue as long as Lapid and members of his Yesh Atid party constantly attack the government of which they themselves are members.
The Prime Minister then set five conditions to Lapid that he must meet in order for the coalition to continue functioning:

• To stop attacking the coalition, including his criticism of Israel’s construction in Jerusalem and its relationship with the United States.

• To transfer 6 billion shekels to the defense budget for training purposes, as well as for development of Iron Dome systems and armored personnel carriers.

• To release the budget for the IDF’s move to the Negev as previously agreed. On Sunday, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon froze the project, saying the Treasury had reneged on its promise to transfer the funds.

• To support Netanyahu’s version of the Jewish State Law, based on the principles presented by the Prime Minister at Sunday’s cabinet meeting.

• To freeze the 0% VAT bill that Lapid has been trying to pass. (Arutz 7)

Lapid is in the wrong. He's not a team player. He also made a point of intentionally putting together a list of inexperienced people to run with him for Knesset seats.

Bibi in the Center
not in control
not leading

IMHO there is only one solution for Bibi. He must stop the Centrist charade and go Right. As long as he tries to run and rule as a Centrist he will have to deal with the disloyal Left. And I hope that Bennett has learned his lesson. There's no way to rely on Leftist populist leaders like Lapid. The Israeli voters had thought they had voted Right and religious, by voting Likud, NRP and the Chareidi parties. Instead they got Livni and Lapid who should never have made to to the cabinet and power.

Do it Right, this time Bibi. Go Right!