The new Netanyahu government seems set to win a new coalition partner, Shas, after MK Tzipi Livni's Hatnua agreed to join. Shas's three leaders, MKs Aryeh Deri, Eli Yishai, and Ariel Atias met in the Knesset today to establish a united front on their demands for an equal sharing of the burden.
Sources in Shas say that the meeting's purpose was to review a possible agreement with representatives of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to join the coalition.
Top Likud sources say that Shas is very close to signing a coalition agreement, and the haredi (ultra-orthodox) party will decide whether to accept the revised proposal for sharing the burden drawn by up National Economic Council chairman Prof. Eugene Kandel, after major progress between the sides. "Shas is already inside. They softened, and we expect other parties to soften too and realize that they cannot have all the cake and eat it too," said a Likud source.
Shas will reportedly announce that it will accept within a few days the Kandel proposal, which is the bone of contention between it and Likud-Beitenu. Deri was updated on other issues, including peace talks and Hatnua's joining the coalition, and they are not part of the basis of agreement with the Likud representatives.
Deri called Livni after she signed the first coalition agreement to congratulate her. "Livni will definitely contribute her extensive experience to the challenges we face. Israel today needs a government that will unite parts of the nation and will not cause disputes and the disqualification of others," he said.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on February 21, 2013
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