Prime Minister-elect Ariel Sharon has appointed some of the ministers of his new government. He has given the Interior Ministry to the religious Shas party, and the Ministry of Construction and Housing to the National Religious Party. The Education and Justice ministries will go to Sharon\'s own Likud party. The agreements regarding the Shas and NRP appointments were reached in consultations at Sharon\'s home with Likud negotiators Uri Shani and Ehud Olmert.
According to the agreement, Eli Yeshai of the Shas party will become Interior Minister, Rabbi Yitzchak Levi of the NRP will become the Minster of Housing, the Likud\'s Tzippy Livni will be the Justice Minister, and the Education Minister will be either Limor Livnat or Meir Shetreet. Shas and the NRP are supporting Livnat, such that her chances of garnering the appointment are very good.
The NRP and Yisrael Beiteinu parties have each been seeking two ministerial appointments, but the Likud has decided that they will have to suffice with one each, plus one or two deputy ministers. United Torah Judaism will not receive a ministry, but rather the chairmanship of the Knesset\'s Finance Committee.
According to the agreement, Eli Yeshai of the Shas party will become Interior Minister, Rabbi Yitzchak Levi of the NRP will become the Minster of Housing, the Likud\'s Tzippy Livni will be the Justice Minister, and the Education Minister will be either Limor Livnat or Meir Shetreet. Shas and the NRP are supporting Livnat, such that her chances of garnering the appointment are very good.
The NRP and Yisrael Beiteinu parties have each been seeking two ministerial appointments, but the Likud has decided that they will have to suffice with one each, plus one or two deputy ministers. United Torah Judaism will not receive a ministry, but rather the chairmanship of the Knesset\'s Finance Committee.