JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu was still a narrow coalition partner to secure a parliamentary majority on Wednesday after an ultra-Orthodox Jewish party signed up, with the deadline for forming a government looming.
The agreement with United Torah Judaism (UTJ), announced on Tuesday evening, promised Netanyahu controls 53 of the 120 Knesset seats with his conservative Likud party. That left Shas, an ultra-Orthodox party with 11 seats, as Likud’s last likely ally.
After running in the November 1 election, Netanyahu was given 28 days to field a coalition. Commentators predicted that he would do so in a short time, given the strong presence of religious-nationalist parties. But the negotiations turned out to be long.
Far-right inclusion in the new government has sparked fear at home and abroad for the future of Israel’s longstanding talks with the Palestinians and strained ties between its 21% Jewish majority Arab citizens.
Netanyahu said he would serve all Israelis but did not indicate any plans to restart talks with the Palestinians.
The UTJ said in a statement on the Likud deal, which it agreed to even though some details were pending, that the talks should be extended beyond Sunday’s deadline for a coalition deal.
President Isaac Herzog can extend the term by 14 days.
Among the issues hanging over the coalition talks is the tax evasion conviction of Shas leader Arieh Deri, a candidate for finance minister. Shas has submitted legislation that would allow Deri – who was spared jail time under a plea deal – to sit in cabinet.
Netanyahu has yet to request an extension for the coalition talks. But the centrist opposition accused him of planning to use whatever extra time he could get to push the Deri-related bill through parliament before his government took office.
Outgoing Justice Minister Gideon Saar said on Twitter that any request for an additional delay would be a “ruse (to allow) the passage of personalized and problematic laws, in accordance with the demands of the (coalition) partners, before the establishment of government.
The Joint List (UAL), a party that enjoys the support of Israel’s Arab citizens and was part of the outgoing coalition, has signaled that it may be willing to join Netanyahu.
“I don’t rule that out,” UAL leader Mansour Abbas told 103 FM radio, saying he was waiting for news on the new government’s policies.
The agreement with United Torah Judaism (UTJ), announced on Tuesday evening, promised Netanyahu controls 53 of the 120 Knesset seats with his conservative Likud party. That left Shas, an ultra-Orthodox party with 11 seats, as Likud’s last likely ally.
After running in the November 1 election, Netanyahu was given 28 days to field a coalition. Commentators predicted that he would do so in a short time, given the strong presence of religious-nationalist parties. But the negotiations turned out to be long.
Far-right inclusion in the new government has sparked fear at home and abroad for the future of Israel’s longstanding talks with the Palestinians and strained ties between its 21% Jewish majority Arab citizens.
Netanyahu said he would serve all Israelis but did not indicate any plans to restart talks with the Palestinians.
The UTJ said in a statement on the Likud deal, which it agreed to even though some details were pending, that the talks should be extended beyond Sunday’s deadline for a coalition deal.
President Isaac Herzog can extend the term by 14 days.
Among the issues hanging over the coalition talks is the tax evasion conviction of Shas leader Arieh Deri, a candidate for finance minister. Shas has submitted legislation that would allow Deri – who was spared jail time under a plea deal – to sit in cabinet.
Netanyahu has yet to request an extension for the coalition talks. But the centrist opposition accused him of planning to use whatever extra time he could get to push the Deri-related bill through parliament before his government took office.
Outgoing Justice Minister Gideon Saar said on Twitter that any request for an additional delay would be a “ruse (to allow) the passage of personalized and problematic laws, in accordance with the demands of the (coalition) partners, before the establishment of government.
The Joint List (UAL), a party that enjoys the support of Israel’s Arab citizens and was part of the outgoing coalition, has signaled that it may be willing to join Netanyahu.
“I don’t rule that out,” UAL leader Mansour Abbas told 103 FM radio, saying he was waiting for news on the new government’s policies.
