New Hope MP accuses coalition allies of ‘contemptible behaviour’ over state comptroller vote

Israeli MP Sharren Haskel has defended her controversial vote on the state comptroller appointment, insisting she stands by her decision despite facing fierce criticism from within her own coalition. In an interview with ynet’s political podcast ‘120 and One’, the New Hope lawmaker said she is unable to respond publicly to attacks against her due to a police investigation agreement. “They are slandering me and I cannot respond because I committed to this with police,” she said.

Hashel’s comments come amid ongoing tensions within the governing coalition over her support for a compromise candidate for state comptroller—a position traditionally requiring broad consensus. She accused members of her own parliamentary faction of treating her with what she described as “contemptible behaviour”, though she did not specify which colleagues she was referring to.

Regarding potential coalition changes, Haskel dismissed suggestions that she might join other right-wing politicians Gideon Sa’ar or Moshe Ya’alon’s factions. “I am not abandoning Netanyahu. If they insist—there will be no connection,” she said, signalling her commitment to remaining in the current government.

On the formation of her party’s ideology, Haskel restated its core mission: to bring a Zionist government to power without reliance on ultra-Orthodox coalition partners. She also referenced a key agreement underpinning the current coalition—that Netanyahu would be permitted to complete his term in exchange for a hostage deal.

Hashel’s remarks highlight deepening fractures within Prime Minister Netanyahu’s coalition as it navigates contentious institutional appointments and policy disagreements that have tested relationships between alliance partners.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.