Likud representatives met Thursday with newly-installed Members of Knesset from the National Union (NU) and the Jewish Home. Likud faction leader Gidon Saar said the meeting had special significance as the NU and the Jewish Home (previously the National Religious Party) had constituted “the hard nucleus of the opposition” until recently and now may join the coalition.
Saar said the meeting with the religious-Zionist parties was natural, as voters had expressed a clear desire to “undertake a revolution and change direction.”
Both the NU and the Jewish Home presented their demands for partnership in a Likud-led coalition. The NU focused primarily on Jews living in Judea and Samaria, while the Jewish Home focused on education.
NU representatives demanded that the government allow Jews in Judea and Samaria to add to their homes or build new ones. Building in the area has been frozen for over a year, leaving many communities struggling with housing shortages.
The party also demanded funding for yeshivas, assistance for families with many children, development projects in southern and northern Israel and a deal that would legalize several currently unrecognized Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. Unrecognized communities are often threatened with destruction.
NU members expressed opposition to continuing the Oslo Agreements, the policies set forth in the Annapolis Conference, and “withdrawals, expulsions and 'two states for two peoples.'”
"This government will be different from its predecessor in that it will act fairly towards Jews in Judea and Samaria,” said party head Yaakov Katz (Ketzaleh). Ketzaleh described the meeting with Saar as “very positive.”
"It's clearly understood that this government will be more Jewish and more Zionist,” he added.
Jewish Home negotiators said they plan to request the Education Ministry in addition to a position in either the Finance, Interior or Welfare Ministry. The party is expected to ask for increased Jewish studies in secular schools as well.
The party also requested authority regarding the rehabilitation of Jews expelled from Gaza, diaspora affairs, the battle against global anti-Semitism and national service.
Jewish Home head Rabbi-Professor Daniel Hershkowitz said the meeting was positive. “The Likud has a lot in common with us regarding social issues, the economy and settlement. I believe we can quickly reach agreements regarding the challenges facing the state of Israel,” he said.