Ben Gvir threatens: We are not committed to the coalition's position, we will act independently

December 16, 2024   

The Otzma Yehudit party announced today (Monday) that it will not be bound by the coalition's position, including in votes on the budget law - after the postponement of the discussion on the issue of the ouster of the Ombudsman. The party explained that the government's conduct on the hostage deal with Hamas and arguments with the Ministry of Finance regarding the police budget also play a part in the threat to the coalition. The Minister of National Security also conveyed a message to the coalition chairman that the Otzma Yehudit party is considering voting against the budget tonight - and not just abstaining. The party stated: "In recent weeks, the coalition components have been operating independently in a variety of areas. Starting from the refusal to submit a proposal for a decision to the government this coming Sunday to begin the dismissal of the ombudsman, moving on to conducting negotiations for an irresponsible deal, and ending with harming the budget of the Ministry of National Security and its bodies. "Therefore, the Otzma Yehudit faction will not be bound by the coalition's position, including in the budget law, and will operate independently and selectively starting this evening." The meeting of the coalition leaders on the dismissal of ombudsman Gali Baharav Mayara, which was planned to take place this evening, was canceled, after the coalition leaders' meeting that was held yesterday also ended without a decision being made on the ombudsman or the legal reform. It should be noted that the decision to postpone the meeting of the coalition leaders scheduled for this evening was made after four of the party leaders announced that they would be absent.