After a charged discussion at a cabinet meeting on the bylaw to open supermarkets in Tel Aviv on Saturday the government will ask the court for a further extension.
During the discussion, Minister Yariv Levin argued that the government is prevented from deciding on the subject, while the subject of the Interior unification of Tel Aviv with the city of Bat Yam is currently on the Interior Minister's desk.
"It is inconceivable that the government would make a decision that could affect the issue, while it is possible that if the municipal bylaw is accepted it will affect the residents of Bat Yam, who may resist it," he said.
At the same time, there is a demand of several ministers, including Minister Yuval Steinitz, to restore authority in the matter to Interior Minister Aryeh Deri. As mentioned above, due to special circumstances, the government will ask the High Court for a further extension on the issue.
During the hearing, several in the Likud argued that government flexibility toward the hareidi demands is likely to further increase Yair Lapid's number of seats. According to sources present at the meeting, Netanyahu nodded in agreement.
Earlier in a meeting of party leaders, ministers Deri, Litzman, and Finance Committee chairman Gafni requested of the Prime Minister a decision that does not prejudice the status quo.