Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is exploring options to bring the United Torah Judaism party into the government following threats by Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman to quit the government if Olmert negotiates the fate of Jerusalem with Palestine Liberation Organization Chairman Abu Mazen.

Olmert met with UTJ MK Avraham Ravitz last Tuesday, one day before U.S. President George W. Bush arrived in Israel and two days after Lieberman threatened to bolt the coalition if Jerusalem was put on the table. Lieberman and Olmert are scheduled to meet this week, before the Yisrael Beiteinu secretariat decides whether or not to leave the government in protest of negotiations with the P.L.O.