Refusing to believe Yamina head Naftali Bennett's announcement the establishment of a "pro-change" government was off the table, Likud officials have continued to accuse Bennett and New Hope party head Gideon Sa'ar of working to establish a government that relies on the support of the Joint Arab List.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
A senior Likud official told Israel Hayom: "Sa'ar and Bennett talk like they're on the Right but are moving to the Left. They are holding talks about it and are thinking about how to establish such a government. This is an option that has been reopened, and let there be no doubt: This is a government that relies on the Joint Arab List.
"How dare they talk about a government that relies on the Joint Arab List after what happened in [the] Gaza [Strip]? They're going to go with the Joint Arab List after the rioting by Arab Israelis? They're going to go with the Joint Arab List after Biden talks about the establishment of a Palestinian state? Giving Judea and Samaria to Hamas - that's the 'change' government.
"Bennett's announcement was fake. They're holding talks to establish a 'change' government. The entire Left has enlisted in how to prevent a right-wing government," the official said.
Responding to the accusations, a Yamina party official insisted: "The 'change' government is off the table."
Religious Zionist Party head Bezalel Smotrich, formerly of the Yamina faction has launched a campaign aimed at pressuring Sa'ar to join a right-wing government. According to a RZP official, the campaign called on "Sa'ar and his partners in New Hope to join a right-wing government of the nationalist camp and abandon the attempt to form an alliance with the Left."
The official said: "The campaign is continuing the success of the moves by the Religious Zionist Party that prevented Yamina Chairman Naftali Bennett and the members of his faction from establishing a leftist government with supporters of terrorism."
In a series of statements and videos published over the weekend, the RZP asked: "What do you have to do with the Left? A right-wing government is the order of the hour."
According to Smotrich, "Events in recent weeks once again revealed the ethical and practical rifts between the Right and the Left in the State of Israel on a variety of critical issues and the immediate need to establish a right-wing government comprised of all the parties in the nationalist camp. Members of New Hope are people of the Right, and they must understand that there's nothing for them on the Left and join a right-wing government. I hope and believe this will be the case. Gideon, come home."
Last week, Smotrich claimed his mediation efforts had increased the possibility Sa'ar would consider the possibility of joining the government."
Sa'ar denied the claims.
Meanwhile, at a rally at Tel Aviv's Habima Square, Saturday, Meretz party chairwoman Tamar Zandberg called on Bennett, Sa'ar, and Blue and White party head Benny Gantz "not to let the message of the last few days be one of fear of Arabs and the embrace of [radical Otzma Yehudit party head Itamar] Ben-Gvir. A different government must be established."
She said, "Recent days have shown us what life in this country could look like – a nightmare. We don't want to turn the hourglass upside down and wait for the next war, but rather change the direction to one of peace. Living together in genuine partnership and not in hatred and fear. It's no coincidence this violence broke out precisely when we felt Jews and Arabs could cooperate in politics, as well, because there were those who wanted to destroy this vision.
"But to them, we say: Enough! Now, too, we can and should establish a different government that doesn't incite and differentiate between Jews and Arabs but replaces the toxic atmosphere. From here, I call on Bennett, Sa'ar, and Gantz: Don't let the message of the recent days be one of turning our backs on Jewish-Arab partnership and promoting racism and Kahanism, fearing Arabs, and embracing Ben-Gvir. That would be our loss. Victory will be a government that marks the way to a life together," Zandberg concluded.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
