Attorney David Shimron, who has led the Likud-Beytenu negotiating team in the coalition talks, sensed something was not right around 2 p.m. on Thursday. Habayit Hayehudi leader MK Naftali Bennett and Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid had not arrived as planned to sign the coalition agreements. Prior to their no-show, text messages were sent left and right over the exact wording of the coalition agreements. Bennett and Lapid wanted to include a provision to appoint them as deputy prime ministers, but Shimron made sure to delete their messages. There was no such promise, he told them. That is how the most recent crisis came about. Was there an understanding that they would each be appointed as deputy prime minister? Was a hidden hand involved in the efforts to deny them those roles, perhaps originating with someone outside politics? The negotiations involved the usual back and forth of offers and counteroffers. There was talk about giving them this hyped, yet hollow, title. One side is dead certain it was promised such an appointment; the other is just as convinced that such a promise was never made. This latest crisis on the way toward a new government is much ado about nothing. It looks like a theater production that is designed to satisfy the curiosity of the spectators in this case, the more than 7 million Israeli citizens. The goal was to have the Likud-Beytenu, or alternatively Yesh Atid and Habayit Hayehudi, create some form of drama, of whatever kind, that would have an aura of cleverness and wit. Lapid and Bennett have nothing to gain if they get the long title of deputy prime minister. But similarly, the Likud-Beytenu would not be able to erode any of their achievements so far by denying them that title, which has adorned every Israeli government over the past several decades. Why have there been so many deputies in past governments, including in those headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu? Why abolish those titles from the new ministers precisely when they are about to take office? The right thing to do, for both sides, would have been to cede some ground. Netanyahu should have offered the titles, and Bennett and Lapid should have politely declined. This crisis is negligible compared with the other problems generated by the coalition's makeup. This is all the more true when you consider the despondent state at the Likud. It's very uncommon to see prospective cabinet members of the ruling party look so desperate. They were denied the most worthy portfolios and the roles of deputy ministers. In fact, when they are summoned to Netanyahu's office, he will have no new ministries to offer them. There are tough challenges ahead for the Netanyahu government, on defense, education and socio-economic matters. The content of the coalition agreements includes promises for important changes on a political level. But the government, from the get-go, will be positioned on a volcano. The epicenter for future earthquakes will be in Likud party headquarters.
