The right-wing block remained united on Sunday, as the leaders of Yamina, Shas and United Torah Judaism signed a letter of support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alone.
The three, Naftali Bennett, Aryeh Deri and Yakov Litzman respectively, said in the letter to Netanyahu: "In recent days we've been witness to a series of reports in the press, whereby after the election a government will emerge led by Blue and White, either in partnership or with support from parties on the right – reports that are utterly baseless. Consequently, we wish to make it clear that we won't join any government other than a government formed by the Likud headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. We emphasize that we won't conduct any separate negotiations for the formation of another government."
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
Netanyahu responded to the letter by saying: "The right-wing bloc's commitment [on Sunday] is the final nail in [Blue and White leader Benny] Gantz's bluff. It's clearer than ever that Gantz has no way of forming a government without the support or abstention in Knesset of Ahmad Tibi and the Joint Arab List. A government that is dependent on the Joint List would pose a danger to Israel's security. Only a large Likud can establish a strong right-wing government, protect Israel and ensure that a left-wing government supported by Ahmaed Tibi doesn't rise."
Litzman, who also serves as health minister, added: "In days such as these, as various elements are wishing to harm the right – chief among them [Avigdor] Lieberman – and lies and fabrications are being disseminated about supposed discussions and contacts between the ultra-Orthodox parties and Blue and White, we again signed a document to confirm and verify what is already known – that the right-wing bloc is united in its support of Netanyahu."
As a reminder, last week Israel Hayom reported that Defense Minister Naftali Bennett said behind closed doors recently that "There's no chance we join Benny Gantz… I'm a right-wing person. Period. Not a centrist, not half-right."
"Blue and White's entire worldview stems from the opinions of [MK] Ofer Shelah, who influences Yair Lapid, who influences Blue and White. A partnership of this sort is destined to fail. It's not something that can last," Bennett said.
