Even if Shas and Yahadut Hatorah are in the new government coalition, clearly the 19th Knesset will be accompanied by new realities, which include another party holding the Interior Ministry and Housing Ministry in place of Shas.
In addition, Yahadut Hatorah may no longer be overseeing the powerful Knesset Finance Committee. After the report released last week by the Hiddush organization regarding Yahadut Hatorah’s control of the committee was published in all the national newspapers, Bayit Yehudi may have an easier time wresting control of the committee away from Moshe Gafne. The widely published report painted the chareidim in an extremely poor light. While Hiddush is known to not be a fan of the chareidim and their lifestyle to put it mildly, the report is received as factual and its ramifications may be widespread.
The Marker reports both Lapid and Bennett have indicated a member of their parties must receive the chair of this committee, which traditionally rested in the hands of Yahadut Hatorah. The Marker states that Uri Ariel, number two on the Bayit Yehudi list wants the post instead of accepting a cabinet appointment, apparently well-aware of the power the position holds. Ariel was a member of the committee in the 18th Knesset. When asked to comment Ariel stated “we are in the midst of coalition talks and therefore have no comment.”
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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