Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu hoped his coalition talks would have made more progress, now in week two. After two rounds of meetings with Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid it appears the prime minister understands his odds are better to continue working on Bayit Yehudi leader Naftali Bennett towards persuading him to back out of the agreement with Lapid, to enter the coalition on his own. This would leave an open door for the chareidi parties, Shas and Yahadut Hatorah.

It appears Mr. Netanyahu understands that barring any major change, he will have to select between the chareidim or the Yesh Atid/Bayit Yehudi parties, realizing the latter will give him larger numbers but the former will be less problematic.

To date Lapid has rejected alternative share the burden plans and Bennett, at least for the time being, remains loyal to the agreement made with Lapid’s party.

While no party has signed on the dotted line, Netanyahu remains confident that The Movement Party of Tzipi Livni will be joining on, but it appears as negotiations appear in the early stage she is no hurry to be first, realizing with six seats her party can sign now or later and receive the same deal.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)