An inexperienced Yair Lapid thought that when he sits down at the negotiating table in Kfar Maccabiah with his 19 seats he can get any post he wishes other than prime minister. He has learned this is not so for Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has already told him the foreign ministry post he requests is not among his options as that post is being held for Avigdor Lieberman after his trial.

According to Yisrael Hayom, Lapid was offered other senior posts, including finance and defense. Most believe that Lapid is aware that if he dared to accept the defense post a national outcry would follow due to lack of military experience, not even serving as a combatant during his compulsory service.

The report speculates that Lapid is also after the Education Ministry post for his number two man Rabbi Shai Piron as well as the Communications Ministry. The report quotes ‘Likud sources” as saying if he enters the coalition Lapid is likely to receive the education post, but the communications position will remain in Likud hands.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)