Netanyahu faces an imminent collapse of his current government

Israeli sources announced that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to avoid an imminent “collapse” of his current Israeli government.

Sources close to Netanyahu told Israeli media, including the Maariv newspaper, that Netanyahu held a meeting on Sunday evening with Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who heads the right-wing Yisrael Beiteinu party (Israel Is Our Home) to discuss how to avoid the collapse of the current government.

Netanyahu will meet next Monday with the remaining members of the ruling coalition, including the Israeli minister of economy and head of right-wing HaBayit HaYehudi party (Jewish Home) Naftali Bennett, Minister of Justice Tzipi Livni, who also heads the centrist Movement party, and Minister of Finance Yair Lapid, who also heads the centrist party Yesh Atid (There is a Future party).

The Israeli government consists of 22 ministers, including two ministers representing the Movement party, five ministers from There is a Future party, 12 ministers from Likud, and three ministers from Jewish Home.

Maariv newspaper added that Netanyahu is trying to overcome current obstacles faced by the Israeli government, most notably is the passing of the “Jewish state” bill, which is opposed by both the Finance Minister Yair Lapid and the Justice Minister Tzipi Livni. Coalition members also disagree over the budget’s items, most notably Lapid opposes the proposed imposition of taxes on apartments for young couples.

The Israeli prime minister is legally authorised to dismiss ministers from the cabinet in the event that they obstruct the government’s ability to carry out its work.

Netanyahu is working toward including the religious Shas party and United Torah Judaism (Yahadut HaTora HaMeuhedet) in the event Lapid withdraws from the government. He also presented an offer to the opposition Labour Party to join his coalition, but the party refused.

The Israeli TV Channel 10 pointed out earlier that Netanyahu is also trying to guage the Israeli parties’ readiness to join the coalition that he would seek to form if he calls for early elections.

Livni is one of the ministers who opposes the Jewish state bill for which Netanyahu is approval. The proposed bill would legally enshrine Israel’s status as a Jewish state and a homeland for Jews around the world, who would have the right to gain automatic citizenship.