According to a secret deal that has been disclosed, Likud and Yisrael Beitenu have agreed to cooperate in the vote set to take place in a number of weeks in Knesset for candidates to serve on the committee to appoint judges and dayanim. Likud has agreed to back the Yisrael Beitenu candidate as representative of the opposition and Yisrael Beitenu will in turn back the Likud candidate.

With the revelation of the deal there is increased speculation that the Yisrael Beitenu may be heading to the coalition government. This would bring an addition six seats to the current coalition of 61.

Yisrael Beitenu will back Nurit Koren of Likud and Likud will back the Yisrael Beitenu candidate, Robert Elituv. Should Elituv get in as the opposition’s candidate, the right-wing would enjoy a majority in the appointment’s committee.

The law demands a majority of seven of the nine committee members for an appointment to the Supreme Court. Elituv along with Justice Minister (Bayit Yehudi) Ayelet Shaked and Nurit Koren would create a right-wing veto on the committee regarding new appointments to the High Court.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)