Minister of Housing Uri Ariel revealed that Bayit Yehudi party leader would prefer to serve as minister of strategic affairs and not as minister of education. Ariel released his comments on Monday 2 Rosh Chodesh Iyar amid the realization Bennett will not serve a defense minister or finance minister despite his aspirations to do so.

Ariel added the party continues its battle for control, at least partial, over the Ministry of Religious Affairs which appears to now be in Shas’ hands. He adds that throughout the elections Bayit Yehudi stated it wishes to receive the Defense Ministry, Public Security Ministry, and Justice Ministry, but he failed to mention that instead of earning more seats, the party which had 12 seats in the 19th Knesset today has only 8.

Ariel told the press that in the weeks that followed elections in which coalition talks have been ongoing, all of Bayit Yehudi’s requests have been rejected. Ariel added that Likud offered Bennett the Education and Communications Ministries, telling Channel 1 TV News that at present, nothing has been closed.

Speaking with chareidi radio earlier in the day Ariel was careful, refusing to speak out against Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu when asked “Is the prime minister intentionally ignoring Bayit Yehudi”. Ariel stated he is not privy to the prime minister’s thoughts and motives but for the time being, negotiations are ongoing.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)