Rabbi Yitzchak Levy of the National Religious Party said that the Likud rejected the NRP's demand for the Education Ministry, and that the matter may have to be brought before Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. "We don’t accept this automatic rejection," Levy said. "[Former Likud Prime Ministers] Yitzchak Shamir and Binyamin Netanyahu understood the importance of this portfolio for the NRP and the special contribution that we can make, and we are not planning to give up so easily." MK Sha'ul Yahalom said, "Education is the portfolio in which we can make the greatest contribution to the religious-Zionist movement and to the entire country."
The Likud has apparently also rebuffed the NRP in its demand/request for a total of two ministerial portfolios in the government-to-be. The NRP will have six MKs in the upcoming Knesset, and is likely to have to make do with one Cabinet member.
The Likud has apparently also rebuffed the NRP in its demand/request for a total of two ministerial portfolios in the government-to-be. The NRP will have six MKs in the upcoming Knesset, and is likely to have to make do with one Cabinet member.