Likud members threaten to topple Netanyahu

Members of the majority Likud Party in Israel have threatened to topple Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government if he cedes control of any of the West Bank to the Palestinians as part of any future political agreement.

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According to Maariv newspaper a hundred members of Likud met with members of the president’s office and key activists in the office of the Chairman of the Regional Council as well as Deputy Minister of Defence Danny Danon to discuss this issue.

Those present at the meeting agreed to convene an emergency session of the party when Netanyahu returns from New York to discuss the matters which have stirred deep internal disputes within Likud. Maariv claimed that the political developments pursued by Netanyahu government on the agenda will include the release of Palestinian prisoners and the intention to waive Israel’s “rights” over parts of the occupied West Bank.

Meanwhile, Yisrael Beiteinu Party founder Avigdor Lieberman has announced his intention to split from the Likud-led coalition following Netanyahu’s refusal to halt peace negotiations after the killing of two Israeli soldiers in the West Bank cities of Hebron and Qalqilya. The right wing parties united during the 19th Knesset election campaign.