While there could be some gain in a chareidi bloc as coalition talks progress, the chances of true cooperation between chareidi parties are slim indeed. Perhaps, there will be limited cooperation on a number of issues such as monthly child allowance payments and the housing crunch for young married couples.

Shas leader Eli Yishai met with UTJ’s Yaakov Litzman in the hope of establishing a chareidi bloc to ensure none of the chareidi parties will join the forming coalition unless their collective demands are met. It appears, in the best of situations, there may be agreement and cooperation regarding monthly child allowance payments and housing issues.

During the past years, UTJ has on many occasions slammed Shas for sitting in the Olmert government while Shas continues to declare it is the only party that really looks out for the interests of the chareidi community.

It is also relevant that Litzman represents only the Agudah faction of UTJ, and any agreement reached with him is not necessarily binding on the Degel faction. The two factions are at odds with one another and they have not enjoyed a harmonious relationship for sometime, but they remain united for the common goal, an extra seat in the national election.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)