Sources close to the negotiations say that PM Bennett has asked rebel MK from his own party Auerbach to wait with leaving the coalition in order to force Ra'am out

It was learned that the prime minister asked a member of his party in a meeting with him to wait a few weeks for one of the members of the Ra'am or left-wing parties to resign before him - a move that would prevent Lapid from taking office, and allowing Bennett to continue to serve as prime minister until elections could be held.

The PM's office responded: "Those words were never said!"

Photo: Rebel MK Auerbach (Yamina) Flash90, Jonathan Zindel