Likud has not given up hope of forming a narrow government with the right-wing and chareidi parties and Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beitenu party.

In the final offer made to Lieberman on Monday evening, it is difficult to believe that even if he agrees, which he does not appear ready to do, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu would be able to sell the plan to the chareidi parties.

The terms of the offer from Likud to Lieberman include the following:
• Lieberman hold the Interior Ministry portfolio, thereby giving him control on deciding who is recognized as Jewish by the state and opening stores on Shabbos.
• Free vote regarding the draft bill, a promise that coalition discipline will not be imposed, permitting each party to vote its conscience.
• Twenty city rabbonim will be authorized to perform giyur, removing the exclusivity from the hands of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.
• Pensions for the immigrants from the Former Soviet Union, something Lieberman has been fighting for a long time.
• Control of the Defense Ministry portfolio with a free hand to implement policy.
• Control of the Absorption & Immigration Ministry.
• Replacing the prime minister when he is abroad and the possibility of rotating the post in the fourth year of the administration.

Mr. Netanyahu is working towards meeting with Lieberman, but most feel such a meeting is not likely as Lieberman responded with statements that a narrow government will not be a welcome event as he still maintains the true answer is a broad-based national unity coalition government.

According to the TV News12 report, Likud officials have also instructed the chareidi parties to refrain from attacking Lieberman to lower the flames of dispute between them.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)