With coalition negotiations between Likud and the haredi United Torah Judaism reportedly in their final stages, MK Menachem Eliezer Moses (UTJ) shared how the talks were faring.
Moses explained during an interview Monday that his party was demanding any additional budget, but rather the return of funds directed away from the haredi community during the last government.
"We're not asking for an agura more than than what we had in 2012, before that evil government," he stressed.
Moses also objected to language being used by the media, suggesting that UTJ is squeezing Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu for important positions in the next government.
"How come when [Kulanu head Moshe] Kahlon asks for the finance and housing ministries, and urban planning, they call these 'tools,' while when we ask for things, they call it 'blackmail?'"
Army Radio reported Monday morning that the final drafting stage had been reached in coalition talks between UTJ and Likud.
The agreement will include a clause guaranteeing the revocation of the criminal sanctions in the Enlistment Law, which was led by Yesh Atid and Jewish Home in the last coalition.
The criminal sanctions by which haredim who refused to enlist were thrown in jail led to a harsh backlash in the haredi community, expressed in mass protests.
However, the UTJ coalition agreement has not been finalized yet, since a disagreement remains regarding the government's position on the controversial conversion law initiated by MK Elazar Stern and passed by the previous government.
Even if that wrinkle is sorted out, the signature on the deal is expected to be given at the same time as a coalition agreement with fellow haredi party Shas.