This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/522865-israel-netanyahu-hidden-camera/
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 'He has to go’: Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu labeled ‘power-hungry tyrant’ by potential coalition ally in hidden-camera recording | 'He has to go’: Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu labeled ‘power-hungry tyrant’ by potential coalition ally in hidden-camera recording |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| In a public blow to coalition-building efforts in Israel, hidden-camera recordings of a potential political partner accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being a “power-hungry dictator” have been aired on local television. | In a public blow to coalition-building efforts in Israel, hidden-camera recordings of a potential political partner accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being a “power-hungry dictator” have been aired on local television. |
| One-time Netanyahu staffer Ayelet Shaked, now a senior Knesset member from the Yamina party but who is rumored to be eyeing a return to the premier’s Likud party, also said the embattled PM was obsessed about his ongoing corruption trial. | One-time Netanyahu staffer Ayelet Shaked, now a senior Knesset member from the Yamina party but who is rumored to be eyeing a return to the premier’s Likud party, also said the embattled PM was obsessed about his ongoing corruption trial. |
| The recordings, which were broadcast by Channel 12 on Monday, came as Netanyahu was engaged in a last-ditch attempt to entice Yamina into a right-wing coalition with a rotational power-sharing agreement – ahead of his Tuesday night deadline for government formation. | The recordings, which were broadcast by Channel 12 on Monday, came as Netanyahu was engaged in a last-ditch attempt to entice Yamina into a right-wing coalition with a rotational power-sharing agreement – ahead of his Tuesday night deadline for government formation. |
| “He wants to remain in power. He has a lust for power – he and his wife. They’re like tyrants, like dictators. They’re not prepared to move aside,” said Shaked, who made the comments at a meeting on Monday with a group of rabbis, one of whom recorded her, according to the Maariv newspaper. | “He wants to remain in power. He has a lust for power – he and his wife. They’re like tyrants, like dictators. They’re not prepared to move aside,” said Shaked, who made the comments at a meeting on Monday with a group of rabbis, one of whom recorded her, according to the Maariv newspaper. |
| “The only thing he cares about now is his trial. He absolutely does not care about anything else. It’s true… all his considerations, his behavior, his comportment – all revolve around his trial,” she said, adding that Netanyahu was too “paranoid” and “scared” to ask for a pardon and plea bargain. | “The only thing he cares about now is his trial. He absolutely does not care about anything else. It’s true… all his considerations, his behavior, his comportment – all revolve around his trial,” she said, adding that Netanyahu was too “paranoid” and “scared” to ask for a pardon and plea bargain. |
| “It’s true that [Netanyahu] has to go. He has to go,” added Shaked, who indicated that Yamina is hoping for a power-sharing deal whereby its leader Naftali Bennett will become prime minister for one-and-a-half years followed by a two-and-half-year Netanyahu premiership. | “It’s true that [Netanyahu] has to go. He has to go,” added Shaked, who indicated that Yamina is hoping for a power-sharing deal whereby its leader Naftali Bennett will become prime minister for one-and-a-half years followed by a two-and-half-year Netanyahu premiership. |
| Despite securing only seven seats in the March polls, Yamina has become a potential kingmaker. Bennett has said that he will support a Netanyahu-led, right-wing government if the PM has the votes, but will work toward a unity government with centrist and left-leaning parties without him if he does not. | Despite securing only seven seats in the March polls, Yamina has become a potential kingmaker. Bennett has said that he will support a Netanyahu-led, right-wing government if the PM has the votes, but will work toward a unity government with centrist and left-leaning parties without him if he does not. |
| In a video statement released via his Twitter account on Monday, Netanyahu said, “I told [Bennett] I am willing to accept his demand for a rotation deal in which he will serve first as prime minister for one year. Yamina party members will enter the government and Knesset with important roles.” | In a video statement released via his Twitter account on Monday, Netanyahu said, “I told [Bennett] I am willing to accept his demand for a rotation deal in which he will serve first as prime minister for one year. Yamina party members will enter the government and Knesset with important roles.” |
| However, Bennett countered that he had never asked to be PM and said Netanyahu did not have the votes to form a coalition. Netanyahu responded to this by saying that other players would follow if Bennett went along – enough for a right-wing majority. | However, Bennett countered that he had never asked to be PM and said Netanyahu did not have the votes to form a coalition. Netanyahu responded to this by saying that other players would follow if Bennett went along – enough for a right-wing majority. |
| In the recording, Shaked reportedly claims that Bennett is seeking partners for a unity government in part to bring Netanyahu to the negotiating table on Yamina’s terms and stop efforts to force a fifth general election in under two years. | In the recording, Shaked reportedly claims that Bennett is seeking partners for a unity government in part to bring Netanyahu to the negotiating table on Yamina’s terms and stop efforts to force a fifth general election in under two years. |
| “[Netanyahu] understood the situation, that Bennett has an alternative government, and as a result he was prepared to offer Bennett to serve first as premier for a year-and-a-half. He would have taken us to another election,” said Shaked, who voiced concern that another round of polls could see the centre-left form a coalition with the help of Arab parties. | “[Netanyahu] understood the situation, that Bennett has an alternative government, and as a result he was prepared to offer Bennett to serve first as premier for a year-and-a-half. He would have taken us to another election,” said Shaked, who voiced concern that another round of polls could see the centre-left form a coalition with the help of Arab parties. |
| Netanyahu can also request a 14-day extension from President Reuven Rivlin, who reportedly favors handing the government-building mandate to other lawmakers. Conversely, Rivlin could send it to the Knesset for a three-week period, after which fifth elections have to be called should no consensus emerge on the country’s next ruler. | Netanyahu can also request a 14-day extension from President Reuven Rivlin, who reportedly favors handing the government-building mandate to other lawmakers. Conversely, Rivlin could send it to the Knesset for a three-week period, after which fifth elections have to be called should no consensus emerge on the country’s next ruler. |
| If you like this story, share it with a friend! | If you like this story, share it with a friend! |