1.
It is difficult to understand the political trickery at work.
If the whole idea is to keep the Likud MKs in suspense until this coming Sunday, so that the government can be sworn in on Monday, and only after the Basic Law is amended during the tenure of a transitional government - then who guarantees that in the coming weeks and months, after the composition of the government and the distribution of positions in the coalition are clear, there will not be disappointments and vengeful people within the Likud?
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I caught up with a senior MK, a Likud ministerial candidate, in the hallway, and asked him this question. He agreed with me.
Those who want revenge will have plenty of opportunities down the road. On the other hand, he said, there is no reason not to pass the law now, even with the crooked process that is taking place here in the Knesset building.
That candidate for the position of minister said that he is calm and peaceful, certain that he will be minister next Sunday, and he is also certain that there will be no frustrations in Likud.
In the meantime, Netanyahu has already met with all the MKs from the Likud.
MK Yaron Mazuz told him that the issue of air pollution in Haifa Bay is at the forefront of his attention. He has established a lobby and wants to deal with the regional issue. According to the document Mazuz showed me, MKs Dov Hanin and Tamar Zandberg, who were spearheads on this issue in the previous Knesset, have already signed a cooperation agreement with him on this issue.
One of the main problems with the Haifa issue is that the local media is not Follows, doesn't fight, doesn't deal with the issue properly. The press there, according to countless reports from recent years, is caught in a tangle of local interests and is not decisive and active on the matter.
2.
And what is happening to all of us? It appears that the Labor Committee will be divided in rotation between MK Elaluf (who will be first) and MK Rachel Azaria (who will be second, if the 20th Knesset survives). This decision is not final.
3.
MK Avigdor Lieberman attacked today He sharply criticized the Likud and Netanyahu personally. Among other things, he said: "I hear Netanyahu's statements in the Russian media and what didn't he promise? Mountains and hills. In all the agreements, the issue of immigration doesn't even exist. He talked about pensions and rent, help for immigrants, and there's no trace of it.".
But MK Elkin responded to these things today specifically, saying, as someone who was inside the negotiating room, that Yisrael Beytenu was offered generous offers, especially with specific reference to the complex issue of pensions for the immigrant population from Russia (an unresolved issue regarding immigrants who arrived in Israel at the age of 30 and 40, after years of working in Russia, and here they were forced to turn a new page in everything related to pension rights).
4.
Are the Likud and the Zionist Camp conducting quiet talks behind the scenes to stop the series of unnecessary speeches in the plenum? I tried to find out - and the answer is: no.
The momentary closeness of MK Elkin and MK Eitan Cabel was explained as coordination of opposition-coalition work, the division of committees, and nothing more. The Zionist Camp also submitted First factional bill To dissolve the Knesset.
5.
Netanyahu entered the first Likud faction meeting looking relaxed and good-natured. He walked around the table, shaking hands with each person. Last but not least was the new MK Oren Hazan, who received a warm hug.
Here is a picture from that faction meeting. MK Elkin with the Knesset ethics code in his lap. He needs guidelines and regulations to coordinate all the moves in what are supposed to be Elkin's last days as coalition chairman.
Anyone who asks Elkin these days why he refuses to continue as coalition chairman will hear that the last time Elkin was in the position of coalition chairman, after replacing Yariv Levin, the Knesset was dissolved and elections were held.
"It's not really worth it these days," say those around him.
And what can be said about the Likud faction's wonderful consideration for Christian Knesset members – Basel Ghattas and Aida Touma-Suliman?
On Monday, May 11, history was made in the Knesset. It was the first time that someone from the Likud took into account the feelings of an MK from the Balad faction.
The Likudists decided not to convene the Knesset plenum on Sunday, God forbid, so as not to violate the Christian Sabbath. "This has been the custom since time immemorial," explained a senior Likud MK when asked why the government would not be sworn in this coming Sunday.
• From Tal Schneider's blog: www.talschneider.com
