Netanyahu ’emergency meeting’ ends; some settler leaders criticize PM for ‘thwarting’ right-wing gov’t

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ends his emergency meeting of right-wing politicians and settler leaders, in which they reportedly brainstormed ways to disrupt the new unity government before it is voted into office next week or the week after.

The Walla news site reports that the courses of actions weighed include organizing a massive ultra-Orthodox demonstration against the emerging government.

Army Radio reports the meeting was initiated by the heads of the Yesha Council, the advocacy umbrella for West Bank settlements. It says plans raised include various forms of protests and intense pressure on MKs in the “change bloc” seen as weak links who could be tempted to defect.

The report also says some in the meeting criticized Netanyahu for refusing to hand over the Likud leadership to anyone else and thus preventing a right-wing government (since Gideon Sa’ar’s New Hope would then have agreed to join a Likud government).

Netanyahu rejects that notion: “I’m not the story, I suggested every outline possible, including exiting the prime minister’s residence for the first two years of the term.”