Shas leader Aryeh Deri over recent weeks and months has spoken out in favor of a national unity government. With a deal appearing imminent with Machane Tzioni, Deri was asked what sacrifices Shas is willing to make to accommodate the new coalition partner.

Speaking to ‘Kav Itona’ut’, Deri explained Shas will not give up any of its cabinet posts, explaining Likud is unwilling to make the sacrifice so there is no reason Shas be called upon to give up any of its cabinet posts. He added that Bayit Yehudi has three cabinet posts and the Justice and Education portfolios, the more senior of the three, will remain in Bayit Yehudi hands.

In short, Deri has made it clear that while Shas will accept the new coalition partner, the Sephardi chareidi party does not plan to make the sacrifice to accommodate Machane Tzioni.

In a related matter, Minister for Senior Citizen Affairs (Likud) Gila Gamliel speaks openly regarding her support for national unity. However, when asked by Mordechai Lavi of Kol Chair Radio, she stated she is not going to give up her seat at the cabinet table to accommodate Machane Tzioni, explaining the women have fought to hard for the limited representation on the cabinet.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)