Likud Director-General Uri Shani and Labor Party chief Ra\'anan Cohen met today to finalize details of the unity government coalition agreement between the two parties. Labor and Likud reached agreement on the need to nullify the direct-election law for PM. Pines and Rivlin agreed that the bill, which has already passed its first reading, will be brought for its final readings even before the establishment of the new government.
Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert (Likud) continued to emphasize that despite Barak\'s implied threats not to join a government together with Rehavam Ze\'evi and Avigdor Lieberman, their party - National Union-Yisrael Beiteinu - would be a full partner in the coalition. He told Arutz-7 today, \"I\'m not on the best terms with Ze\'evi, but I will not allow anyone to drive a wedge between us and our natural partners on the right - for the simple reason that in such a case we will be dependent on the mercies of Labor… Labor, once it sees that we have an option of relying on a narrow government, can be a positive and constructive partner…\" Olmert said that Sharon very much wants to form a unity government with Labor, \"and so he’s willing to wait even longer than he wanted, even until Monday when Labor\'s Central Committee convenes and decides…\"
Prime Minister-elect Sharon, who met later this afternoon with both Ze\'evi and Lieberman, said beforehand that they would both serve as ministers in his government. Sharon also met today with an AIPAC delegation, MK Natan Sharansky, World Bnei Brith Pres. Richard Heidman, and the family of Ron Arad. Later tonight, he will hold a consultation with his advisors Zalman Shoval, Moshe Arens, Dore Gold and Eitan Bentsur.
Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert (Likud) continued to emphasize that despite Barak\'s implied threats not to join a government together with Rehavam Ze\'evi and Avigdor Lieberman, their party - National Union-Yisrael Beiteinu - would be a full partner in the coalition. He told Arutz-7 today, \"I\'m not on the best terms with Ze\'evi, but I will not allow anyone to drive a wedge between us and our natural partners on the right - for the simple reason that in such a case we will be dependent on the mercies of Labor… Labor, once it sees that we have an option of relying on a narrow government, can be a positive and constructive partner…\" Olmert said that Sharon very much wants to form a unity government with Labor, \"and so he’s willing to wait even longer than he wanted, even until Monday when Labor\'s Central Committee convenes and decides…\"
Prime Minister-elect Sharon, who met later this afternoon with both Ze\'evi and Lieberman, said beforehand that they would both serve as ministers in his government. Sharon also met today with an AIPAC delegation, MK Natan Sharansky, World Bnei Brith Pres. Richard Heidman, and the family of Ron Arad. Later tonight, he will hold a consultation with his advisors Zalman Shoval, Moshe Arens, Dore Gold and Eitan Bentsur.