The Likud and Shinui negotiation teams reached a deal a few hours ago for Shinui’s joining a Likud-led government.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon approved the coalition agreement early this morning. The Likud team reportedly expects to finalize coalition negotiations by mid-week.
Shinui will receive five portfolios under the agreement. Party chairman MK Joseph (Tomy) Lapid will become minister of justice. Shinui will also get the interior, environment, technology and science, and national infrastructures portfolios, and deputy minister of the interior, plus chairmanship of the Knesset Education Committee and rotating chairmanship of the Immigration, Absorption and the Diaspora, and the Interior and Environment Committees.
The Likud negotiating team is scheduled to meet representatives of the National Union today. The National Union is furious that Lapid will be minister of justice. There is also unrest within the Likud over the coalition agreement with Shinui.
Shas and United Torah Judaism also expressed concern this morning at what is virtually a fait accompli: the next Israeli government will not include the haredi (ultra-orthodox) parties. Both parties warned against a threat to the religious status quo, although Shas still expects to hear from Sharon.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on February 24, 2003