The bone of contention is still the equal sharing of the burden and drafting haredim into the IDF.
Three days before the initial period given to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form a government expires, coalition negotiations are still stalled.
Likud-Beytenu's negotiating team is scheduled to meet representatives of Habayit Hayehudi (Jewish Home) to discuss the state budget, but the bone of contention is still the equal sharing of the burden and drafting haredim (ultra-orthodox) into the IDF. To reach guidelines acceptable to Habayit Hayehudi and its ally Yesh Atid, as well as the haredi parties, Habayit Hayehudi will submit within two days an alternative proposal for establishing a broad-based coalition that will include the haredi parties. There is currently a disagreement between Habayit Hayehudi and Yesh Atid people on this issue.
At tonight's meeting, Habayit Hayehudi's representatives will also raise their dissatisfaction with the agreements reached between Netanyahu and Hatnua chairwoman MK Tzipi Livni over the peace process. Sources in Habayit Hayehudi say that there has been no progress in the coalition negotiations, and they accuse Netanyahu of being in no hurry to set up a government. They claim that had Netanyahu wanted it, there would have been progress in the talks.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on February 25, 2013
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