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, "where he can appoint judges in his image." He has other objections as well: "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 [in the government] 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 resumed today, though they broke up with no agreement this afternoon. The National Union is upset not only about Justice Minister-to-be Lapid, but also about the inclusion of Ariel Sharon's Herzliya speech as part of the government guidelines. The two sides will meet tonight, but National Union leader Avigdor Lieberman expressed pessimism regarding prospects for an agreement.
The Likud's Ehud Olmert appears headed to replace Silvan Shalom as Finance Minister. Shalom said today that he will not agree to accept an expanded Industry and Trade portfolio. "It's either Finance or nothing," he told a group of his supporters today.
Coalition negotiations between the National Union and the Likud resumed today, though they broke up with no agreement this afternoon. The National Union is upset not only about Justice Minister-to-be Lapid, but also about the inclusion of Ariel Sharon's Herzliya speech as part of the government guidelines. The two sides will meet tonight, but National Union leader Avigdor Lieberman expressed pessimism regarding prospects for an agreement.
The Likud's Ehud Olmert appears headed to replace Silvan Shalom as Finance Minister. Shalom said today that he will not agree to accept an expanded Industry and Trade portfolio. "It's either Finance or nothing," he told a group of his supporters today.