The National Religious Party is taking on both a new leader and a new political orientation. Brig.-Gen. (res.) Effie Eitam has been named the party\'s new number-one. In addition, after a year in the opposition, the NRP will join the government coalition. Its two ministers in the government will be Eitam, who will also join the important mini-security cabinet, and Rabbi Yitzchak Levy, whose consent to resign as party leader paved the way for Eitam. Eitam was considered a talented army officer, whose way to the rank of Maj.-Gen. was blocked mainly by the yarmulke he wears on his head.
The NRP\'s opposition \"exile\" began a year ago when newly-elected Ariel Sharon did not make a realistic offer to the party, long considered Sharon\'s most natural ally. The Labor party had strong words of criticism for the decision to include the NRP in the coalition, and spokesmen said that the coalition agreement stipulates that Labor must agree to such a move. Labor did not threaten to quit the coalition, however.
It appears that the National Union-Yisrael Beiteinu party, headed by Avigdor Lieberman and Rabbi Benny Elon, will also return to the coalition. The party quit the government in mid-March, but Lieberman\'s lack of criticism for the NRP\'s move indicates that he is also headed in the same direction. David Levy\'s Gesher party (3 MKs) is also a potential new government partner.
The NRP\'s opposition \"exile\" began a year ago when newly-elected Ariel Sharon did not make a realistic offer to the party, long considered Sharon\'s most natural ally. The Labor party had strong words of criticism for the decision to include the NRP in the coalition, and spokesmen said that the coalition agreement stipulates that Labor must agree to such a move. Labor did not threaten to quit the coalition, however.
It appears that the National Union-Yisrael Beiteinu party, headed by Avigdor Lieberman and Rabbi Benny Elon, will also return to the coalition. The party quit the government in mid-March, but Lieberman\'s lack of criticism for the NRP\'s move indicates that he is also headed in the same direction. David Levy\'s Gesher party (3 MKs) is also a potential new government partner.