It appears that unyielding demands from Ichud HaLeumi leader Yaakov Katz (Ketzaleh) may result in Binyamin Netanyahu turning to Tzipi Livni to accept a modified rotation government.

According to many reports, including the Sunday Haaretz, Katz demands that the education portfolio be given to Bayit Yehudi leader Dr. Daniel Hershkowitz and that he receives the housing ministry. Likud has rejected his demands, stating such an arrangement is not up for discussion. Likud plans to hold the education portfolio and housing was already promised to Shas.

Katz, who is no stranger to the political arena and has been operating on behalf of Am Yisrael for decades, is however new to the coalition negotiating game and by most accounts, is boldly overestimating the powerbase, four seats, despite Netanyahu’s majority of one seat, 61, without his party. Likud negotiators have offered Ichud HaLeumi a seat on various Knesset committees, one cabinet post and a deputy cabinet post, without detailing which.

Katz is also spearheading a battle to restore the status of yishuvim to “preferred zones” as they were in the days past, a move that would grant housing incentives and tax breaks for residents. He is also working to guarantee budgets for hesder yeshivot and IDF preparatory programs, as well as other matters high on the agenda of the dati leumi and dati leumi Torani camps.

Some feel that his inflexible position is a contributory factor compelling Netanyahu, the premier-designate, to turn to Kadima and suggest a modified rotation, perhaps opting rotation over too narrow a majority and being toppled in a no-confidence motion early into his tenure. Such a reality may send Ichud and Bayit parties to the opposition benches.

On the positive side of coalition talks, Katz played a major role in Likud agreeing to include yeshiva budgeting in the state budget, eliminating the need for religious parties to enter into negotiations for monthly budgeting, a reality that generally leaves chareidi parties with the “extortion” label.

In addition, the establishment of a Palestinian state will not be mentioned in the coalition agreement, at least until Kadima comes into the picture. It is also being reported that Netanyahu is committing not to remove any yishuvim in Yehuda and Shomron. It appears however that despite the accomplishments, Katz’s unwillingness to show flexibility on the cabinet appointments may leave him and Bayit Yehuda out of the ruling coalition.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)