Yesterday was the day that PM Netanyahu learned on his own Body how a coalition of partners can disown you in a time that you need them the most,in what even the Opposition fails to achieve time after time, What happened yesterday is a red line crossed and in order to govern Netanyahu will be forced to take some steps to assure his stability.
From Yossi Verter-Haaretz:
Benjamin Netanyahu's gray, sunken face said it all. He sat almost alone at the cabinet table, his right hand drumming nervously on a pile of papers, while he looked helplessly on as his flagship - "the reform of the Israel Lands Administration" - sank slowly into the parliamentary depths, to the opposition members' cries of joy.
From a coalition of 74 Knesset members, most of whom had received a post, perks or other goodies from Netanyahu only 115 days go, he is left with 48 MKs who have stuck it out with him in difficult times,All the rest have abandoned him, turning their backs without hesitation.
As far as Netanyahu is concerned, it's hard to overestimate the gravity of yesterday's events. The rebellion sent bile to every corner of the coalition - Likud, Labor, Yisrael Beiteinu, United Torah Judaism and Habayit Hayehudi. Only Shas was at his side at the crucial moment, and he will have to pay with compound interest for this rare display of loyalty.
And then there was MK Tzipi Hotovely. Six months ago Netanyahu pulled her out of a remote television program and built her up all the way to the Knesset. Since she got in she has been against everything - tax deductions for childcare, a demilitarized Palestinian state and land reform,When will she be for something already?
Netanyahu's problem is that his coalition will help him survive.It won't topple him, because it has no alternative Bibi, but it also won't let him make any significant moves. No VAT on fruits and vegetables, no restrained budget and no real peace process.
