Breakthrough in Coalition Talks, But a Distance Yet to Go
By Hamodia Staff
YERUSHALAYIM — A breakthrough in the coalition talks between Likud and Shas was reported late Wednesday.
Intensive negotiations yielded a deal whereby Shas leader Rabbi Aryeh Deri will return as interior minister, as well as a rotational arrangement with Religionist Zionist chairman Betzalel Smotrich at finance, and the position of deputy prime minister. In addition, Shas will get the health and religious affairs ministries.
But if all is quiet—at least for the moment—on the Likud-Shas front, the same could not be said of the Likud-Religious Zionism front.
Likud chief negotiator MK Yariv Levin and the Religious Zionist Party blamed each other for the delay, caused by incessant wrangling over ministerial appointments.
Outstanding issues were also reported vis-à-vis Otzma Yehudit, which is insisting on the Negev and Galil portfolio, but hasn’t gotten it yet.
United Torah Judaism was reportedly poised to receive the Yerushalayim affairs ministry, ministry of social equality and the ministry of construction and housing.
In the meantime, nothing has been signed, and anything could happen.
To Read The Full Story
Are you already a subscriber?
Click "Sign In" to log in!
Become a Web Subscriber
Click “Subscribe” below to begin the process of becoming a new subscriber.
Become a Print + Web Subscriber
Click “Subscribe” below to begin the process of becoming a new subscriber.
Renew Print + Web Subscription
Click “Renew Subscription” below to begin the process of renewing your subscription.