Questions raised over Benjamin Netanyahu’s control over coalition as he makes concessions to far right
Israeli politics has descended into disarray with questions over whether a fired defence minister is refusing to step down and concernsmay have promised too much to far-right politicians in exchange for a deal aimed at quelling nationwide demonstrations.
In a televised address, 10 hours after he was initially scheduled to give a statement, a tired-looking Netanyahu said he was “not willing to tear the nation in half”.The speech ended a tense day in which hospitals, universities, seaports and the international airport in effect shut down in protest at the judicial changes, which many see as a neutering of judges’ power to hold the government to account. Late in the day, pro-government supporters assaulted television crews and Arab passersby.
The speech also pacified growing international concern from Israel’s allies, particularly from Washington, who wanted it to deal with the crisis before it spiralled out of control. The US ambassador to Israel, Tom Nides, told local radio on Tuesday he welcomed the move to delay the bill, joking that after the speech he “had a nice night of sleep”.
Still, later on Tuesday, questions were being raised over Netanyahu’s control over and credibility within his governing coalition, which includes a mixture of rightwing nationalists, religious leaders and far-right firebrands.
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