Deputy Health Minister (Yahadut Hatorah) Yaakov Litzman announced that if left without another alternative, he would enter into a coalition government with MK Avigdor Lieberman and his Yisrael Beitenu party. This according to some may lead to a solution to break the political stalemate as the Blue & White party continues efforts to establish a coalition government.

One is reminded that during the election campaign, despite his scathing statements against chareidim, Yahadut Hatorah never disqualified Lieberman and never stated the party would not enter into a coalition with him, realizing the day may come that such a move is compelled. Yahadut Hatorah only disqualified sitting in a coalition with Yair Lapid, who holds the second slot on the Blue & White list, and this has not changed.

Speaking with the daily Yisrael Hayom newspaper’s weekend addition, to be released on erev Shabbos, Litzman stated that if someone does not compromise, the nation will head to a third round of election and this must be avoided. That said, he emphasized “we will not be broken”, explaining no one will break the unity of the right-wing bloc, and Yahadut Hatorah will not compromise key issues pertaining to Shabbos and Yiddishkeit.

That said, Lieberman commented a number of times this week that he does not plan to enter into a right-wing coalition with the chareidim, but will only enter into a broad based liberal national unity government that includes both Likud and Blue & White.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)