Rabbi Yitzhak Levy has informed his aides that he will resign today from leadership of the National Religious Party. He will apparently make an official announcement to this effect at a meeting of the NRP Central Committee this afternoon. Rabbi Levy said that he reached this decision based on the failure of the coalition negotiations, and the circumstances surrounding it. His close associates are attempting to persuade him to stay in his position. He has led the party for the past 4 years.
A senior party source told Arutz-7 that internal party tensions were a major factor leading to the breakdown in talks with the Likud, and that the NRP demand for the position of Director-General of the Religious Affairs Ministry was not a logical demand. Some in the NRP feel that the crisis was initiated by certain elements in the party in order to bring about Rabbi Levy\'s resignation. MK Sha\'ul Yahalom said in response that rumors of a premeditated plan to bring about Rabbi Levy\'s resignation are baseless.
MK Tzvi Hendel (National Union and formerly of the NRP) is making last-ditch efforts to negotiate a deal between the Likud and the NRP that will pave the way to include the NRP in the coalition. One of the proposals under consideration is the transfer of the Justice Ministry to the NRP.
A senior party source told Arutz-7 that internal party tensions were a major factor leading to the breakdown in talks with the Likud, and that the NRP demand for the position of Director-General of the Religious Affairs Ministry was not a logical demand. Some in the NRP feel that the crisis was initiated by certain elements in the party in order to bring about Rabbi Levy\'s resignation. MK Sha\'ul Yahalom said in response that rumors of a premeditated plan to bring about Rabbi Levy\'s resignation are baseless.
MK Tzvi Hendel (National Union and formerly of the NRP) is making last-ditch efforts to negotiate a deal between the Likud and the NRP that will pave the way to include the NRP in the coalition. One of the proposals under consideration is the transfer of the Justice Ministry to the NRP.