In an interview with Israel Radio’s Reshet Bet on Wednesday morning 10 Adar 5773, Vice Premier Moshe Ya’alon explained that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will continue to head diplomatic talks between Israel and the PA (Palestinian Authority). The announcement follows the inclusion of The Movement party in the coalition, which includes party leader Tzipi Livni playing a major role in the diplomatic process between Israel and the PA. Livni will serve as the next minister of justice, and she will be included in the senior forum of ministers as well.
Regarding the inclusion of The Movement in the coalition, the first party to sign, Ya’alon told Israel Radio that Likud/Beitenu turned to Naftali Bennett and the Bayit HaYehudi Party but there was no response. He explained that the prime minister and the coalition are not about to dance to the dictates of Yair Lapid, and at present, the only party to sign on has been Livni’s. Ya’alon explained Likud rejects Lapid’s attempt to build a coalition excluding chareidi parties.
In other coalition news, Shas’ Aryeh Deri continues meetings with senior Labor Party officials as he tries to persuade Shelly Yacimovich to enter the coalition along with Shas. Deri told the media that Shas and Labor see eye-to-eye on economic issues and they could work side-by-side in a coalition. Deri realizes that if Shas, Yahadut Hatorah and Kadima sign, which is likely, then bringing Labor on board gives the coalition a solid majority.
Shas has been working hard to complete the deal before Purim as Eli Yishai has already been consulting with Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita.
Kadima, headed by Shaul Mofaz, is also on the verge of signing and Mofaz will likely receive a lower level cabinet appointment as his party only brings two seats.
Ya’alon added the “primary interest at hand is the future of the State of Israel”, lamenting how some parties carry too much baggage into the coalition talks, reflecting on the past instead of moving ahead towards a building the future.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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Bennett decided that being anti-hareidi (his rivals within the Orthodox community) was more important than other aspects of his platform (a hawkish policy on the settlements, supporting a pro-business economic policy rather than a pro-welfare policy).