Israeli minister: Likud, Netanyahu trying to ‘bribe’ coalition members

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
19 Jun 2022 10:01
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Israeli Minister Gideon Sa’ar castigates the Likud and the party’s head Benjamin Netanyahu, for ‘spreading fake news.

Justice Minister Gideon Sa'ar arrives at a cabinet meeting (Flash90).

Israeli Minister Gideon Sa'ar slammed the Likud party and its leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, on Friday, accusing them of attempting to "bribe" coalition members in order to bring the government down. And, once again, he vowed not to work with Netanyahu in government.

Sa'ar said, as quoted by Israeli Channel 12, that Likud was "offering bribes to different people" in the coalition.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he denied rumors that he was considering leaving the coalition and forming a right-wing government with the Likud.

“I won’t bring Bibi back, I’ll say that as clearly as I can,” he said, referring to Netanyahu.

The Israeli minister boldly accused Netanyahu and his party of spreading false news and lying to coalition members.

“It’s a factory of fake news,” he said. “They’re always working to spread fake news. Once to weaken me and hurt the public that follows me and then to try and lure people in.”

In response to his remarks, the Likud issued the following statement: "Gideon Sa'ar must keep his word and disperse the government if the West Bank laws are not passed."

In the meantime, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett continued his last-ditch efforts to persuade Yamina MK Nir Orbach to stay in the coalition after he announced his intention to leave earlier this week.

Bennett acknowledged the gravity of the situation shortly after Orbach's public withdrawal from the coalition, estimating that the coalition will collapse within the next two weeks.

All of this certainly underscores the weaknesses and divisions in the fragile Israeli alliance, raising questions about how long they can survive.

The coalition, comprised of eight ideologically distinct parties, formed last year and pledged to avoid divisive issues that could jeopardize its survival. The fresh dispute clearly indicates that the occupation’s government's days could be numbered.