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Narrow coalition finalised with last minute Likud, Jewish Home deal
Less than two hours before a midnight deadline to finalise a majority government, Likud leader and prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Jewish Home leader Naftali Bennett announced that they had reached a coalition agreement.
Netanyahu’s attempts to construct a coalition were disrupted earlier this week when Avigdor Lieberman announced that his Yisrael Beitenu party would sit in opposition rather than join an “opportunistic” government. It meant that Jewish Home’s eight MKs were required for Likud to form a slim single-seat majority government, prompting a feverish day of negotiations between the two parties yesterday. Jewish Home increased its demands, which were largely met, most notably with the appointment of Bennett’s number two Ayelet Shaked as Justice Minister. Shaked, who has previously spearheaded steps to limit the power of the Supreme Court, will have notable influence over future legislation and judicial bodies. Shaked will also sit in the Security Cabinet.
Although final details of the agreement remain unconfirmed, Bennett is set to become Education Minister and Uri Ariel is likely to be Agriculture Minister. A Jewish Home MK will also serve as Deputy Defence Minister.
Speaking at a press conference, Bennett said “I want to tell you, Mr. Prime Minister, we are behind you… We will help and aid you for the success of the government under your leadership.” Reflecting on his narrow 61-seat government, Netanyahu commented, “I said before that 61 was a good number, but 61 plus is an even better number. There’s still a lot of work left to all of us. Good luck to us and to the people of Israel.”
With Lieberman having stepped down as Foreign Minister, it is unclear who his successor will be. Senior Likud MKs including Yuval Steinitz and Gilad Erdan will be keen to fill the post, but Channel Two suggests Netanyahu will leave it vacant in the hope of eventually enticing Zionist Union leader Isaac Herzog into his government. Both Likud and Zionist Union denied reports of secret negotiations between Netanyahu and Herzog.