Shas and Yahadut HaTorah are resuming talks with Likud coalition negotiators on Sunday, with some of the chareidi MKs involved stating Likud has been stalling, seeking to buy time in the hope the Labor Party governing board on Tuesday will vote to permit Ehud Barak to bring the party into the coalition.

By most accounts, Labor would receive 4-5 cabinet portfolios, including at least one senior post, a reality that will dramatically change the current planned ministerial portfolios for all, including Yisrael Beitenu and Likud. It appears that while Avigdor Lieberman will remain foreign minister, his party will have to forfeit one of the other four portfolios, national infrastructure, public security, tourism or absorption.

On the other hand, Shas leader Eli Yishai last week contacted Labor Party secretary MK Eitan Cabel, seeking to persuade him to back Barak’s effort, preferring Labor in the coalition rather than Kadima.

MK Meir Porush last week met with Kadima leader Tzipi Livni, seeking to persuade her to enter the coalition.

One can only wonder what exactly the chareidi MKs are trying to accomplish. While they are seeking additional coalition stability by increasing the coalition support base, the inclusion of Labor and Kadima will just increase their influence on the government rule, more resembling the very administration that was just ousted in the general election.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)