According to the daily Yisrael HaYom, in two meetings held last week following the Likud primaries, Binyamin Netanyahu refused to promise Silvan Shalom the most senior cabinet post, namely foreign minister, as was the case for Shalom in the last Netanyahu government.

Until last week’s election, Shalom ranked number two on the party roster but dropped to the seventh position. It is also no secret that Shalom and Netanyahu have never worked together and are in fact political opponents. Now that Shalom has dropped in popularity, Netanyahu may move him from consideration for the senior post.

Following the primary election however, Netanyahu did state one’s position on the roster will not determine one’s cabinet appointment, adding Shalom will hold a senior cabinet post.

According to the report, Netanyahu is considering Dan Meridor (17th slot) for the Finance Ministry portfolio, and Gideon Saar (2nd slot) in the Justice Ministry slot. Former IDF Chief Moshe Ya’alon (8th slot) is slated for the Public Security portfolio. All this may change however depending on coalition talks and demands.

Netanyahu and Shalom both denied the accuracy of the report, with the party leader insisting at present, no one is concerned with cabinet posts.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)