Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu set next Wednesday as the deadline for the formation of the government, raising the possibility of swearing in a government with a majority of 57 members of the Knesset, with Otzma Yehudit and the ultra-orthodox factions, but without the Religious Zionist Party, according to Walla.
This is in light of the difficulties in the negotiations on the distribution of roles with party chairman Bezalel Smotrich.
Netanyahu wants to move forward the negotiations within the Likud and with his other coalition partners, to start filling cabinet roles in the government and to prepare to present a coalition by his deadline.
The deadline is a move to pressure Smotrich to enter the coalition and soften his demands in the negotiations. Despite this, sources around Netanyahu are predicting that Smotrich is unlikely to vote against a right-wing coalition.
The Likud Party has denied it, saying that “the report is not true. We intend to form a right-wing coalition with Religious Zionist Party leader Bezalel Smotrich and all of our partners.”
"The report is not true. we intend to form a right-wing coalition with Religious Zionist party leader Bezalel Smotrich and all of our partners."
Likud statement
Netanyahu’s ambitious goal of forming a government by Wednesday, even if Smotrich will stay out of it, might be spoiled due to demands from Likud MKs. If Smotrich doesn’t enter the coalition, Netanyahu can’t risk disgruntling them and putting the delicate coalition at risk.
Negotiations with Itamar Ben-Gvir
As negotiations with Smotrich remain tense, sources in Likud have said that there was a major development with Otzma Yehudit chairman Itamar Ben-Gvir and a series of agreements regarding the legalization of West Bank outposts, as well as the strengthening of existing settlements.
These demands were also made by Smotrich, and the public announcement is meant to pressure him to compromise and soften his demands, specifically to be appointed either defense or finance minister.
Ben-Gvir has made it clear to Netanyahu that he will not enter the coalition without Smotrich, which might thwart the presumptive incoming prime minister’s plans.
Netanyahu began his conversations with his bloc’s party leaders last week with the intention of ending the coalition negotiations by the Knesset’s inauguration, but his disagreements with Smotrich have kept him from fulfilling these plans. Now he is marking next Wednesday as his next target – but he is dependent on his partners to make it happen.
Two days ago, Netanyahu met with Smotrich and told him that he opposes his being appointed defense minister, due to the need for moderate diplomatic actions until the end of US President Joe Biden’s term.
The RZP leader was angry at Netanyahu, telling him he will not take part in a government that will not work to realize his political agenda.
After the announcement of the election results, Smotrich announced that he would demand the Finance or Defense ministries.
After Shas chairman Arye Deri announced that he was interested in serving as finance minister, however, Smotrich’s party announced publicly that he will be the defense minister in the coming government.