Netanyahu, Mofaz continue butting heads over universal service alternatives. PM forms new teams; Mofaz demands government endorses Plesner Committee recommendations

A political crisis is looming over the Coalition, again: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Friday that he has ordered the formation of two teams to devised alternatives to Tal Law.

Earlier this week Netanyahu dissolved the Plesner Committee, originally tasked with devising alternatives to the universal draft bill. The move was slammed as one meant to both placate the religious parties and avert the Arab public´s wrath; and ended up rattling the Coalition even further.

MK Yohanan Plesner (Kadima) released the committee´s findings on Wednesday, despite Netanyahu´s objections, but as the panel was decommissioned, its recommendations were rendered toothless.

Netanyahu announced Friday that the two teams – one headed by the Prime Minister´s Office, including Minister for Strategic Affairs Moshe Yaalon, Minister Yossi Peled and national security adviser Ya´akov Amidror; and the other by Kadima – will work together to resolve the issue.

But Kadima Chairman Shaul Mofaz negated the idea. "There won´t be another committee. The Plesner Committee was it," he said.

Kadima sources further slammed Netanyahu´s move as one meant to stall for time; but a mere 90 later, Mofaz´ office released a statement saying that while Kadima will not oppose the joint team´s formation, it will insist its makeup will be "professional" rather than "political."

The party said it also demands that the Plesner Committee recommendation be publicly endorsed by the government.

Opposition Chairwoman Shelly Yachimovich (Labor) panned Netanyahu´s move: "This is reminiscent of the impromptu press conference (Netanyahu) called last year, just as the social protest erupted, where he promised the students anything they wanted if they just called things off.

"This is a troubling pattern by the prime minister, who seems to be focused only on putting out political fires. It´s a shame that something like serving in the military is being used as the catalyst for a nonstop spin contest, instead of being handled in a responsible, thorough manner," she said.

The "anti Tal Law" campaign said that, "It is ridiculous that Netanyahu and Mofaz think the people will believe another spin, another team or another ploy. It is time that they understand that they won´t be able to hold on to their seats no matter what." Moran Azulay contributed to this report (Copyright 2012 © Yedioth Internet 07/06/12)