Transportation Minister Bezalel Smotrich (Jewish Home – National Union) excoriated Yisrael Beytenu chief Avidgor Liberman Thursday morning, calling him “dangerous” and “irresponsible”, after Liberman declared that new elections were inevitable, and rejected the possibility of forming a narrow right-wing government with the Likud. “Liberman is a dangerous man, cynical and irresponsible,” Smotrich told Radio Kol Chai Thursday morning. “He’s been in the [political] system for 30 years yet has nothing in his name.” Responding to Liberman’s recent interview with Yediot Ahronot in which the Yisrael Beytenu chairman said that he would not join a right-wing government and that new elections – Israel’s third in less than a year – were now inevitable, Smotrich said the right-wing bloc would “work hard” to find an alternate path to a 61-MK majority in the Knesset. The Knesset has until next Wednesday night to select a new premier. If no candidate can secure the support of 61 MKs, the 22nd Knesset will be dissolved and new elections scheduled. “I never pretended to understand [Liberman]. We will have to work hard to try to get to 61 MKs without him.” With the prospect of new elections looming, Smotrich called for the formation of a united national-religious list for the Knesset. “As we get closer to new elections, I again call for a broad union on the religious Right.” On Wednesday, MK Miki Zohar, the leader of the Likud negotiating team, said there is no longer any chance of forming a unity government with the Blue and White party. "This is a finished story. There is no point in continuing to spend energy on contacts with Blue and White," Zohar said in an interview with Arutz Sheva . "They do not want to form a government with us. I suggest that while there is still time before the Knesset dissolves, we strive to establish a right-wing government with 63 MKs with Liberman. But the chances for that are low as well."
