Prime Minister-elect Sharon’s schedule for today included several important meetings. He began by meeting with Prime Minister Barak; this is their first post-election meeting. Sharon was then to meet with IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Sha’ul Mofaz, American Ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk, and UN Mideast envoy Terje Larsen. He will meet early next week with the heads of the Mossad and the General Security Service.
Meanwhile, coalition negotiations continued. First to meet with the Likud coalition-forming team today was Labor. Ariel Sharon had been adamant throughout the election that he would form a national unity government - i.e., a government comprising the two largest parties. The Laborites received a generous offer: the same number of portfolios as Likud, and their choice of two of the top three - Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Finance. Labor is considering the offer, but party members said, “Portfolios are not a substitute for the peace process. Let’s see what the coalition guidelines will be.” Many in Labor are against joining a government with Likud, but it appears that, despite Justice Minister Yossi Beilin’s threat to quit the party, Shimon Peres will have his way and Labor will join the Likud. Likud sources say they will give Labor until the end of next week, and if a unity government is not formed by then, they will form a narrow government.
The Likud team met last night with representatives of Shas (17 MKs) and Nation Union-Yisrael Beiteinu (7). Shas demands the Interior Ministry and other portfolios, as well as Deputy Ministers in the Education and Justice Ministries. National Union representatives would not discuss the party’s demands with the press, but Arutz-7 has learned that these include two Ministries and the Chairmanship of the Knesset Law Committee. MK Rabbi Benny Elon has been in the forefront of calls for a national unity government, but party spokesperson Ilanit Namair said today that the party would join it only if the guidelines were in keeping with its red lines, such as the stipulation that no Yesha settlements would be dismantled.
Next in line to meet with the Likud team was the National Religious Party. The NRP is asking for the Education Ministry and/or possibly another ministry such as Transportation, together with a foothold in the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the chairmanship of an important Knesset committee. Likud MK Limor Livnat, who served as Communications Minister under Binyamin Netanyahu, confirmed today that she is interested in serving as Minister of Education - but that Sharon had made no promises. Both Shas and NRP clarified that they would be willing to downgrade their demands on behalf of a unity government.
Meanwhile, coalition negotiations continued. First to meet with the Likud coalition-forming team today was Labor. Ariel Sharon had been adamant throughout the election that he would form a national unity government - i.e., a government comprising the two largest parties. The Laborites received a generous offer: the same number of portfolios as Likud, and their choice of two of the top three - Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Finance. Labor is considering the offer, but party members said, “Portfolios are not a substitute for the peace process. Let’s see what the coalition guidelines will be.” Many in Labor are against joining a government with Likud, but it appears that, despite Justice Minister Yossi Beilin’s threat to quit the party, Shimon Peres will have his way and Labor will join the Likud. Likud sources say they will give Labor until the end of next week, and if a unity government is not formed by then, they will form a narrow government.
The Likud team met last night with representatives of Shas (17 MKs) and Nation Union-Yisrael Beiteinu (7). Shas demands the Interior Ministry and other portfolios, as well as Deputy Ministers in the Education and Justice Ministries. National Union representatives would not discuss the party’s demands with the press, but Arutz-7 has learned that these include two Ministries and the Chairmanship of the Knesset Law Committee. MK Rabbi Benny Elon has been in the forefront of calls for a national unity government, but party spokesperson Ilanit Namair said today that the party would join it only if the guidelines were in keeping with its red lines, such as the stipulation that no Yesha settlements would be dismantled.
Next in line to meet with the Likud team was the National Religious Party. The NRP is asking for the Education Ministry and/or possibly another ministry such as Transportation, together with a foothold in the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the chairmanship of an important Knesset committee. Likud MK Limor Livnat, who served as Communications Minister under Binyamin Netanyahu, confirmed today that she is interested in serving as Minister of Education - but that Sharon had made no promises. Both Shas and NRP clarified that they would be willing to downgrade their demands on behalf of a unity government.