During the summer vacation, in yeshiva known as bein hazmanim, it is common for Israeli yeshiva to run camps for the talmidim. The camps usually last 3 days to a week, and generally combine some learning time with tiyulim and other activities. One of the most exciting aspects of these camps is the guest speakers they bring in to either speak or sit on panel discussions. They bring in politicians or other askanim to talk about the various issues affecting the Haredi community and the yeshiva world.

MK Michael Malkieli (Shas) just participated in such a panel and said that they cannot rely on Netanyahu - all he is interested in is his survival. He went on to give examples and prove his point. This statement made by Malkieli is causing a bit of a stir right now.

Malkieli is 100% right. Netanyahu, like every other politician, is a politician. He is interested in pushing his agenda and succeeding politically. If something fits within the framework of that, all is good, but if it does not, he will do what he sees as necessary. In that regard Netanyahu is no different than Aryeh Deri or Michael Malkieli or Amir Peretz or Tzippi Livni or Moshe Gafni or Ahmed Tibi or anybody else. They are politicians and cannot be relied upon. If deals work out in everyone's favor, all is good. If not, look for another alliance.

Breaking news: Netanyahu is a politician! shocking.

What is surprising is that Malkieli is willing to upend the shopping cart with such an inflammatory statement, especially at such a sensitive time when there is already friction between Netanyahu and the Haredi parties. It might just be a silly statement meant to give the boys some exciting discussion said by a minor MK during a summer camp that will be forgotten in two weeks. Or not. But after 3+ years of Netanyahu giving the Haredi parties nearly everything they asked for, it seems unwise to upset that relationship now, especially with some serious issues still waiting to be dealt with. It seems unlikely that Malkieli would make such a statement without the ok from Deri, so perhaps this indicates a raising of the stakes...