Coalition Chairman MK Tzachi Hanegbi announced that the Foreign Ministry slot remains open and his party is calling on Yisrael Beitenu to come into the coalition and for Avigdor Lieberman to return to his former post.

Hanegbi was speaking on Wednesday night the eve of 22 Tammuz, addressing the deal with Likud and Yisrael Beitenu to support one-another’s candidate for the judicial/dayanim appointments committee.

Hanegbi made no effort to hide the pragmatism of his call, that the coalition currently has a one-seat majority and bringing Lieberman’s party on board would add six seats.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has not filled Lieberman’s old slot, Foreign Minister, in the hope of Lieberman agreeing to come into the coalition instead of remaining in opposition. At present, Deputy Minister Tzipi Hotevely (Likud) in functioning as a de facto acting minister.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)