Two Knesset members from the National Union opposition party rejected on Thursday evening the call made earlier by Bayit Yehudi (Jewish Home-New National Religious Party) Chairman Daniel Hershkowitz for the National Union to merge with Bayit Yehudi, as long as Bayit Yehudi remains in the government. The two parties were briefly together before the last elections.
Professor Aryeh Eldad said, "At this moment, Minister Hershkowitz and the NRP are participants in the freeze [on Jewish building in Judea and Samaria]. Before they initiate renewed unification with the National Union, they need to explain to the public how they are ready to be full responsible partners to the government policy..."
Dr. Michael Ben-Ari said "Minister Hershkowitz's call to the National Union to unite is worthy of discussion after they join the common struggle against freeze decrees on the benches of the opposition." Referring to the removal of Jews from Gaza and four northern Samarian communities in 2005, Dr. Ben-Ari said, "The National Union will not give the NRP legitimacy to be a participant in an uprooting again." While NRP members voted against the disengagement, the party only left the government of Ariel Sharon after he refused to put the 2005 eviction to a public vote.