The ongoing impasse in the coalition talks between Likud and the Religious Zionist Party has reached an apparent crisis point, Israel Hayom has learned.
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According to Israel Hayom reporting, Religious Zionist Party leader Bezalel Smotrich has recently communicated to Prime Minister-Elect Benjamin Netanyahu that any deal that would guarantee the former's support for a Likud-led government would have to incorporate provisions that would bolster the settlement enterprise in Judea and Samaria. Israel Hayom understands that the Likud leader – who led the Right to clear victory in the Nov. 1 election but won't be sworn in as prime minister unless he passes a successful confidence vote in the Knesset – has rebuffed the Religious Zionist Party's request and said that Israel would have to show restraint on settlement issues for the next two years because of the changes in the US political landscape, presumably referring to the potential swearing in of a Republican president in 2025, which could result in Washington being more aligned with Israel's Right.
Smotrich responded, according to leaked information obtained by Israel Hayom that taking into consideration the Biden administration's stance on settlements should be limited and that Israel must stand firm when it comes to its interests. He further told Netanyahu that the right-wing electorate would not "tolerate a Netanyahu surrender to the US."
Sources in Likud denied Netanyahu suggested that settlement issues be put on the back burner. An associate of the former prime minister said, "We erred when we said we want to swear in a government in such a condensed schedule," referring to the now-shelved plan to have a confidence vote on a new government take place during the Knesset's swearing-in on Nov. 15.
Earlier on Sunday, Smotrich took to Twitter to lash out at Netanyahu. "It is just beyond the pale that the Likud turns us into an enemy every time we refuse to toe their line; they will incite and smear us but the Religious Zionist Party is a full partner of the Right and the Likud. We will not back down from our demands so that a good and stable government is sworn in as soon as possible, a government that will do good and pursue a real right-wing agenda," he Tweeted. Among the demands laid down by Smotrich is that he get the defense portfolio.
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