News
Likud coalition talks with Kulanu progress while Jewish Home disagreements remain
Following the end of the Passover holiday, talks to build a Likud-led coalition government have resumed and gathered pace between party leaders and representatives.
Most significantly perhaps, Likud leader, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Kulanu leader Moshe Kahlon apparently met for a number of hours earlier this week and made progress in negotiations. If it joins the coalition, Kulanu will likely be the second largest faction with Kahlon himself set to become Finance Minister. The major sticking point to a deal between the two parties is the future of the Building Planning Committee, which Kahlon insists must be placed under his party’s purview. However, it is currently administered by the Interior Ministry, with Shas leader Aryeh Deri widely expected to become Interior Minister.
Likud officials are reportedly set to meet again with Shas representatives today and also with officials from United Torah Judaism, another ultra-Orthodox party expected to sign a coalition agreement soon.
However, progress in talks between Likud and Jewish Home has reportedly run into some difficulty. Following a lengthy meeting with Likud representatives at the Knesset yesterday, Jewish Home faction head, MK Ayelet Shaked said that there was “absolutely nothing to report.” Party leader Naftali Bennett said via social media that progress had been made regarding soldier salaries, but that “on other matters we are still stuck.”
The impasse between Likud and Jewish Home has fuelled rumours that a national unity government including Zionist Union is still under consideration. Channel One reported yesterday that a secret meeting had taken place between Netanyahu and Zionist Union head Isaac Herzog to discuss the possibility. Both parties issued a denial of such a meeting, Zionist Union suggesting that the report was a Likud tactic to pressure potential coalition partners into an agreement.
The initial deadline for forming a coalition expires on 22 April. However, Netanyahu can request an automatic two-week extension from President Reuven Rivlin should he require more time to finalise a new government.