The National Religious Party's Central Committee and Court convened today to vote and rule on some important internal matters. Party leader Effie Eitam threatened to resign on Thursday after the party presidium almost decided to change the way the NRP ministers are determined. The new system would have decreased Eitam's chances of being chosen, and he explained that not choosing the party leader as a minister would cause the party "irreparable damage." Eitam threatened to call a press conference that day to announce his resignation if the decision was not changed - and so the decision was changed. The latter decision was confirmed by the party's court today.
In addition, a proposal was submitted to force those chosen as ministers - Eitam and Zevulun Orlev, in all likelihood - to resign their Knesset seats in favor of those next on the list, namely, Eli Gabbai and Yigal Bibi. Eitam, Orlev, and others contested this because of the strong possibility that diplomatic developments will force the NRP to resign the government - leaving the ex-ministers and party leaders without even a Knesset seat. Eli Gabbai told Arutz-7, however, that the likelihood of the NRP leaving the government is very slim, and that it would be more efficient to have more religious-Zionist representatives in the government and the Knesset. The party's court adopted Eitam's position in this matter as well, and the ministers will not have to vacate their Knesset seats.
Orlev said that he had no designs on the Housing Ministry, where Effie Eitam will serve as Minister. "Our party's flagship values are in the field of education, welfare, and social issues," he explained to Arutz-7 this morning, "and for me the welfare portfolio is the top priority." The party had demanded the Education Ministry in the coalition negotiations, but the Likud refused.
In addition, a proposal was submitted to force those chosen as ministers - Eitam and Zevulun Orlev, in all likelihood - to resign their Knesset seats in favor of those next on the list, namely, Eli Gabbai and Yigal Bibi. Eitam, Orlev, and others contested this because of the strong possibility that diplomatic developments will force the NRP to resign the government - leaving the ex-ministers and party leaders without even a Knesset seat. Eli Gabbai told Arutz-7, however, that the likelihood of the NRP leaving the government is very slim, and that it would be more efficient to have more religious-Zionist representatives in the government and the Knesset. The party's court adopted Eitam's position in this matter as well, and the ministers will not have to vacate their Knesset seats.
Orlev said that he had no designs on the Housing Ministry, where Effie Eitam will serve as Minister. "Our party's flagship values are in the field of education, welfare, and social issues," he explained to Arutz-7 this morning, "and for me the welfare portfolio is the top priority." The party had demanded the Education Ministry in the coalition negotiations, but the Likud refused.