The Shas party demanded Wednesday that the coalition provide it with an additional NIS 200 million shekels for housing in exchange for the party’s support for the 2009-2010 budget. The coalition said the demand is unreasonable and would necessitate budget cuts.

In the meantime, debates over the budget are frozen so long as Shas withholds its support. The coalition is trying to recruit support from the opposition in order to circumvent Shas’ demand.