Netanyahu's New Challenge; The Radio and Television Organization

Israeli media reports that the fate of the country's coalition government depends on a meeting scheduled for Sunday, April 6, between the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance. According to media reports, there is a "great deal of tension" in the Israeli political scene due to expectations surrounding this meeting. Reports indicate that Benjamin Netanyahu, leader of the ruling Likud party, has asked Moshe Kahlon, the Minister of Finance and leader of the Kulanu party, to accept his opinion on preventing the dissolution of the Israeli National Radio and Television Organization. However, Israeli media reported that Netanyahu, prior to his meeting with the Finance Minister, told other ministers in a meeting that he has not received any indication of Mr. Kahlon's readiness for "flexibility." The crisis surrounding Netanyahu's coalition government intensified ten days ago; Netanyahu set a condition for Kahlon that if he does not accept his position opposing the establishment of a new media organization to replace the National Radio and Television Organization, early parliamentary elections will be held. However, the Finance Minister rejected the condition set by the Prime Minister last week, stating that the law passed in the Knesset regarding the establishment of a new media organization and the dissolution of the National Radio and Television Organization must be implemented. According to the law, on April 30, the National Radio and Television Organization must announce the end of its operations so that the new organization's official activities can begin on the same day. The new media organization accuses the government of trying to influence its formation. However, Netanyahu has stated that he regrets the law passed on July 29, 2014, in the Knesset, which he called a "mistake." Since the law's passage, large sections of the National Radio and Television Organization have faced collapse, and nearly half of its workforce has resigned. Since the summer of 2014, preparations for the establishment of the new organization have been underway, which has hired hundreds of employees and spent a significant budget. Government supporters also accuse the new organization of employing extremely leftist and anti-government forces. Opponents of the ruling Likud party and many Israeli media outlets that support Netanyahu's political opponents back the new organization. However, Nir Barkat, the Mayor of Jerusalem, stated that the unemployment of 1,200 employees of the National Radio and Television Organization means their departure along with their families from the city, which would be a significant blow to the presence of middle-class and cultural families in the city. The remaining 1,200 employees of the National Radio and Television Organization, considering the critical moment of their work, have recently protested in the cold nights with their children in front of the Prime Minister's and Finance Minister's houses. Many presenters, producers, reporters, and technical staff of the National Radio and Television Organization, who are at risk of imminent unemployment, say that the new organization has employed other forces instead of hiring them. Work in some sections of the National Radio and Television Organization has faced disruption in recent days due to some employee strikes concerned about their situation. The National Radio and Television Organization of Israel began its work ten years before the independence of the State of Israel and has an eighty-year history.