In a political snub just days before a critical vote in the committee for appointing dayanim, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu attempted to mediate between Likud Minister Dudi Amsalem and the heads of the chareidi and religious parties—Aryeh Deri (Shas), Moshe Gafni (Degel HaTorah), and Bezalel Smotrich (Religious Zionism). But the effort failed, with all three leaders refusing Netanyahu’s invitation to meet, asserting that the process is already closed and that “you have no connection to it.”
According to sources, Netanyahu summoned the four politicians to his office in a last-ditch effort to reach a consensus over the appointment of new dayanim. Amsalem, Likud’s representative on the committee, has argued that his party was excluded from the internal agreements reached between the religious factions.
Despite Netanyahu’s outreach, the party leaders declined to attend the meeting, firmly stating that their agreement on the matter was finalized without any involvement from Amsalem or the Likud. “The process is already sealed,” they reportedly told the prime minister, “and you have no role in it.”
At the heart of the dispute is the selection of new dayanim to serve on the rabbinical courts. The chareidi and religious parties have reportedly coordinated their choices in advance, sidelining Likud’s preferences.
A political source familiar with the matter noted bluntly: “The three of them made it clear to Netanyahu—he has no part in this process.”
Tensions escalated after the committee session concluded with none of Amsalem’s proposed candidates making the cut. In response, Amsalem denounced the proceedings, calling for the results to be annulled. He claimed the outcome represented a serious blow to the Likud and a lack of transparency in the selection process.
These developments underscore the growing friction within the governing coalition and highlight the diminishing influence of the Likud—under Netanyahu’s leadership—against the increasingly coordinated actions of the chareidi and religious parties, who are moving ahead with their own shared agendas.
{Matzav.com Israel}