The full text of the Likud-Yisrael Beiteinu coalition deal signed Sunday night has an entire section dedicated to diplomatic initiatives – none of them, however, mention negotiations with the Palestinian Authority.
The diplomatic section of the agreement focuses on destroying terrorist groups that threaten Israel and makes it a “strategic goal” to bring about the downfall of the Hamas regime. It also says that the government will work to end rocket fire and money flow to terrorist organizations. In addition, the agreement states plainly that “the government will not conduct negotiations with terrorist organizations.”
Furthermore, the coalition deal places an emphasis on the Iranian nuclear threat. “Israel will act with its full power to stop Iran from nuclear armament which would threaten Israel, the region, and the free world.” In addition, it provides for the establishment of a strategic committee for Israeli-Russian dialogue which will be headed by Foreign Minister-designate Avigdor Lieberman.
The agreement also focuses on increasing funding for immigrants and increasing immigration from the former Soviet Union. Moreover, there is an entire section on changes to be made to the system of government and elections, including a promise that Israelis outside of Israel during the elections will be allowed to vote.
The agreement also promises more benefits for IDF veterans, including NIS 8,800 per year towards university tuition. In addition, the agreement promises that the two parties will work towards changing the current laws so that terrorists or persons convicted of spying will have their citizenship revoked. That change would help stop state benefits from reaching terrorists’ families and also negate the citizenship of former Arab MK Azmi Bishara, who fled Israel after being charged as a spy.
The agreement includes a provision promising to increase the number of conversion courts. With regard to civil marriage, the agreement states that the coalition will pass a law allowing civil marriage between two non-Jews. Jews will still have to be married through the rabbinate.
The coalition agreement also calls for educational reform, and an increased war against drug trafficking. As part of the educational reforms, it recommends that the government act to establish a university in the Galilee and bestow the status of "University" upon Ariel College in Judea and Samaria.