Right-wing Yemina party, former ally of Netanyahu, says it will sit in opposition

Yemina was reportedly interested in the Health and Education ministries, a difficult ask for Likud given the number of players demanding ministries in the unity government.

By David Isaac, World Israel News

The Yemina party issued an angry statement on Sunday as negotiations between it and the Likud collapsed, referring to Netanyahu’s “blatant disdain for us” and declaring it would not sit in the unity government.

“In light of the composition of the government and its policies that appear to be left-wing under Netanyahu’s leadership, and in light of the prime minister’s blatant disdain for his right-wing and its voting public, the Yemina party has decided to serve in the opposition in the upcoming term and fight there for the national camp,” the party said in a statement.

The breakdown swirled around Yemina’s demand for important ministries. The party, which won six Knesset seats in the last election, initially requested three important ministries, a difficult ask for Likud given the number of players demanding portfolios in the unity government.

Yemina was reportedly interested in the Health and Education ministries. Likud proposed Education, the Ministry of Jerusalem and Heritage and membership in an important Knesset committee.

Yemina stands to the right of the Likud, supporting a more muscular policy regarding settlements in Judea and Samaria. It opposes the creation of a Palestinian state.

The faction is comprised of three parties formed before the September 2019 elections. It split immediately after the elections only to reform in January ahead of the March 2020 elections. It had been a faithful member of the right-wing bloc that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu created immediately after the September elections.

The Likud reportedly hoped to split Yemina into its component parts and bring along a few of its members, such as Jewish Home party leader Rafi Peretz, who currently heads the Education Ministry. Likud vociferously denied the accusation on Sunday.

Yemina’s most prominent members are its leaders, Naftali Bennett, who currently heads the Defense Department, and Ayelet Shaked, a former Justice Minister.