In conversations with senior Yisrael Beitenu officials, party leader Avigdor Lieberman explained the party’s civil marriage bill is not atop of its demands as negotiations move ahead towards forming a coalition government.

According to Lieberman, topping the party’s list is legislation to provide a benefits package for discharged IDF soldiers, followed by legislation for a change in the form of government, only then followed by the civil marriage legislation.

Shas leader Eli Yishai states that if Yisrael Beitenu is willing to accept Shas’ compromise, that civil marriage be permitted for the non-Jewish population, then the main barrier between the two sitting in the same coalition will have been removed.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)