Religious Services Minister Yitzhak Vaknin from the Shas Party has confirmed that there are talks between the party and United Torah Judaism about a joint list in the Knesset elections.
Such a list would increase the strength of the haredi parties, including protection for Shas against the possibility of not having enough votes for representation in the Knesset if it runs by itself, a possibility raised in a number of polls. Vaknin told Israel Defense Forces Radio, "There is a desire and conversations of a number of rabbis to run together. The Council of Sages will decide. My opinion is irrelevant."