With the election campaign in full swing, Shas Housing Minister Ariel Atias continues to state that if Shas is in the next government coalition, he will seek the same portfolio, wishing to remain the nation’s housing minister.
However, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu a number of days ago announced in the next government, the Likud/Yisrael Beitenu coalition will hold the housing portfolio.
Mr. Netanyahu was speaking with the media and he came under fire for failing to lower the price of apartments as promised. The prime minister explained that both the Housing Ministry and Israel Lands Administration are not in his control, but other parties, seeking to deflect responsibility for the housing prices.
He promised that the housing portfolio will as a result move to the Likud following the elections to ensure the housing prices are lowered as promised.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
3 Responses
At this point in time, is Shas competing with Likud for the same set of voters, or is Shas competing more with “Bayit Yehudi”, which Likud is also competing with. By saying Likud wants the housing ministry, which is rich in patronage, it will send a message to people waivering between Bayit Yehudi and Shas that they should vote for Shas. Shas is a perfect coalition partner for Likud since they focus on patronage rather than other issues.
In proportional representation, you are running against the party’s nearest you in ideology, not against your enemies on the other side of the spectrum.
Socialism doesn’t work…. Even in Israel!
And why wasnt prices lowered under the auspices of SHAS, when running the housing ministry?