Even in the absence of cameras or tape recorders, it appears some Knesset members are still incapable of staying out of the headlines. On Sunday, it was the turn of two senior Likud lawmakers, Culture Minister Miri Regev and Coalition Chairman David Bitan, whose verbal lashings toward one another at a meeting of Likud ministers were leaked and subsequently splashed across the media. The incident began after Bitan criticized ministers who divide plenum votes among themselves while skipping votes that are important to the coalition, without coordinating with him or the central committee. Bitan pointed specifically to Regev as a serial vote dispenser. At that point, a shouting match erupted between the two. "Enough, we've had it with you; enough with chasing after you when it's time to vote, just resign," Bitan yelled at her. Regev retorted: "If you chased after me all day you'd be on a diet." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intervened, pounded on the table and called on the sides to "cease fire already!" He asked MKs to inform Bitan in advance of any expected plenum absence, along with any agreement to divvy up votes. Following their heated melee, however, a smiling Bitan and Regev were caught on camera after making amends.
