BICOM

With a week to go until Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must report back to President Shimon Peres on his attempts to form a government, the composition of a future coalition remains unclear.

Earlier this week, Hatnuah head Tzipi Livni became the first party leader to sign a coalition agreement with Netanyahu’s Likud-Beitenu faction, which will see her become Justice Minister and lead Israeli negotiating efforts with the Palestinians. Yesterday evening at a party event, Jewish Home leader Naftali Bennett criticised Livni’s inclusion in the coalition, saying that a new government must prioritise internal issues over talks with the Palestinians. If not, he said, “It would not be a disaster if we didn’t join the government.” However, Bennett also indicated that he is still eager to join a Netanyahu-led coalition, saying “For decades we were natural partners… Something in our partnership unravelled, but it is not too late to fix it.”

Bennett has reached an apparent agreement with Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid that neither will join the coalition without the other, a pact which Maariv this morning describes as “ironclad.” Lapid meanwhile is reported to have met with Shas co-leader Eli Yishai earlier this week, a meeting described as “friendly.” The two hold entirely opposing views on drafting ultra-Orthodox religious seminary students. According to various media reports, this is also proving to be a bone of contention in Netanyahu’s efforts to secure Kadima’s inclusion in a coalition. Netanyahu is backing a plan to enlist ultra-Orthodox students constructed by National Economic Council head, Prof. Eugene Kandel, which according to Haaretz is opposed not only by Kadima but also by Yesh Atid, Jewish Home and even Hatnuah, who all believe that it lacks sufficient teeth to ensure real change.