Old events seem to be making headlines in Eretz Yisrael this erev Shabbos. The Jerusalem Post is reporting what has been known for some time, that a deal was reached between Shas and Likud some four months ago when Kadima leader Tzipi Livni tried to assemble a coalition government. It was Shas leader Eli Yishai’s refusal to enter a government headed by Kadima that sent the nation to the polls.

At the time, there was talk of a backroom deal with was and still is denied by the parties involved, but it has since become abundantly clear that Yishai and Binyamin Netanyahu were talking months ago, leading to the current situation in which the Likud leader is forming the next government.

According to most, it was the deal that never took place that has prompted Netanyahu to announce his loyalty to Shas, stating Shas will be first in the coalition negotiating process and for now at least, the incoming prime minister remains committed to fulfill his promises to Shas, which include a substantial increase in monthly child allowance payments.

According to the Friday Jerusalem Post report, Netanyahu promised Yishai the interior ministry portfolio in his government along with a NIS 2 billion for Shas-related causes.  Shas officials deny the report, stating they would be jubilant to receive the kind of money they are allegedly receiving from Netanyahu.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)