MK Rabbi Benny Elon of National Union said that he sees a "moral problem" in having an avowedly anti-hareidi politician such as Tommy Lapid hold the Justice Portfolio. "A government without the hareidim makes me cringe somewhat, from an ethical standpoint," he told Arutz-7 today. "During the election campaign, Lapid and Paritzky spoke in a racist and ugly manner against the hareidi public, and it therefore does not seem fair to have only Shinui and not the hareidim." Elon also blamed Sharon for his "divide and conquer" method, causing some parties to be afraid to join a right-wing bloc for fear of losing their chance to join the coalition.
Coalition negotiations between the National Union and the Likud are continuing today, though prospects for their success have dimmed somewhat. The National Union is upset not only about Justice Minister-to-be Lapid, but also about the NRP's agreement to have Sharon's Herzliya speech - in which he expressed support for a Palestinian state - included as part of the government guidelines. If the National Union should join, it will receive two of the following three portfolios: Industry and Trade, Absorption, and Transportation.
The Likud's Ehud Olmert appears headed to replace Silvan Shalom as Finance Minister, who will probably not be a minister at all.
Coalition negotiations between the National Union and the Likud are continuing today, though prospects for their success have dimmed somewhat. The National Union is upset not only about Justice Minister-to-be Lapid, but also about the NRP's agreement to have Sharon's Herzliya speech - in which he expressed support for a Palestinian state - included as part of the government guidelines. If the National Union should join, it will receive two of the following three portfolios: Industry and Trade, Absorption, and Transportation.
The Likud's Ehud Olmert appears headed to replace Silvan Shalom as Finance Minister, who will probably not be a minister at all.