Bennett: Bayit Yehudi could quit coalition over PM's probes

Bennett also blamed Netanyahu for Trump changing his tune on Jerusalem.

By GIL HOFFMAN
Updated: MAY 16, 2017 01:57
Bayit Yehudi leader Naftali Bennett (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
Bayit Yehudi leader Naftali Bennett
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government could fall over his three criminal investigations, Bayit Yehudi leader Naftali Bennett indicated in an interview Monday night with the new public broadcasting corporation Kan.
Bennett was interviewed – on the channel whose formation Netanyahu tried to prevent – by news anchor Geula Even-Sa’ar, whose husband, former interior minister Gideon Sa’ar, sees himself as a future successor to Netanyahu as Likud head and prime minister.
When Even-Sa’ar asked Bennett if he would consider removing his party from the government because of investigations of the prime minister, Bennett said that would depend on the severity of the charges.
None of Netanyahu’s coalition partners have made such a statement on any of the investigations until now.
Netanyahu is being investigated on allegations that he received expensive gifts from international billionaires; colluded with a newspaper owner for better coverage; and enabled the purchase of unnecessary and expensive German submarines from a company that employed a confidant and relative of his.
Bennett also continued to criticize Netanyahu’s handling of the administration of US President Donald Trump, saying the government had not “changed its mode” since the previous administration of Barack Obama on issues such as Jerusalem.
Hours earlier, Bennett seemed to blame Netanyahu when he told his Bayit Yehudi faction that in an effort to impress voters during the election campaign, Trump spoke positively about settlements and Jerusalem, but has since then changed his mind.
“In his campaign, he more than once praised settlements across Israel, spoke about united Jerusalem under Israeli sovereignty and about transferring the US Embassy to Jerusalem,” Bennett said. “These statements were made for his voters. Since he was elected, a change has occurred in the spirit of his words, and the reasons for the changes are not entirely clear.”
Bennett advised Netanyahu to follow the American business practice of telling the truth and asking for what is wanted.
“The truth is that anyone with a brain knows that the creation of a Palestinian state in addition to Gaza isn’t going to happen, and we should say it,” Bennett said. “Jerusalem must remain united under Israeli sovereignty only, without being divided geographically or in its sovereignty, just like Paris and Washington. If we say this with determination, they will appreciate us.”
Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman criticized Bennett’s approach in a meeting with his Yisrael Beytenu faction.
“It would be fit to [relay opposition to American policies] in proper forums with the prime minister, not in the media,” Liberman said. “The media fight doesn’t strengthen Israel. It doesn’t help our negotiations with the Palestinians. This administration is friendly. It’s not our first disagreement with the US. We need to overcome our instincts and handle it respectfully, not in the media.”
Other right-wing politicians also defended Trump and said they had not given up hope that he would be a very pro-Israel president.
“Initiating a regional conference with Saudi Arabia is very important for Israel,” said Minister-Without- Portfolio in the Prime Minister’s Office Ayoub Kara (Likud). “Jerusalem is not as relevant right now, and I believe the US Embassy will be moved.”
Likud MK Oren Hazan said Trump does not yet know who Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas really is.
“He believes the Palestinians’ lies,” Hazan said. “But I still believe he will be a good president for Israel. I hope he will wake up soon, in time to stop whatever process he might start.”
Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid reiterated the call to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, saying on Monday: “I join the prime minister’s call to the president of the United States to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem.
“We cannot let threats of disorder affect us,” Lapid said, as he explained that his party came specifically to Ammunition Hill to hold its faction meeting. “Israel and the United States do not determine policy based on threats, but on what is right and what is just. And there is nothing more just – historically and morally – than our connection to Jerusalem.”
Joy Bernard contributed to this report