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Itongadol.- Although there have been no coalition talks between Likud and Zionist Union as yet and members of both parties believe that the chances of themforming a government together are slim, there are increasing signs that the parties are considering such a possibility.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told a senior Likud figure in recent days that he does not reject the idea of a unity government with Zionist Union.
“Netanyahu understands the importance of a centrist coalition, both domestically and abroad,” the senior figure said. Nevertheless, since the election Netanyahu has consistently denied he would form a coalition with Zionist Union head Isaac Herzog.
Meanwhile, Zionist Union sources claim that senior Labor faction officials, led by Herzog, have spoken with President Reuven Rivlin about joining a Netanyahu-led government. As far as is known, Rivlin is not dealing with the matter, having decided to avoid getting involved in political processes. Herzog denied having the discussion with Rivlin.
According to a report on Channel 1, Netanyahu and Herzog met several days ago outside the framework of the routine briefings between the premier and the head of the opposition. According to the report, even their close associates and aides didn’t know about the meeting.
Herzog hastened to deny the meeting took place, saying that “it never happened” and that he and Netanyahu have not met alone since the election. Zionist Union issued a statement saying it "categorically denies" the report. Party sources added that it was all “nonsense – all ado about nothing.” Likud also issued a denial, saying that “the things published about a so-called meeting of the prime minister and Bougie Herzog are not correct.” Zionist Union members argued that it was all an effort to advance the interests of Likud by pressuring the parties negotiating with it. Following the denials, Channel 1 reporter Ayala Hasson insisted that the meeting had taken place and that she stands by her story.
During the election campaign Netanyahu had reiterated that there was a “yawning gap” between him and Zionist Union. About a month before Election Day he tweeted that he could not form a government with left-wing parties because “an ideological chasm has developed between Likud and Bougie [Herzog] and Tzipi [Livni],” Zionist Union’s number two. Immediately after the Labor Party primaries, he said that “there is no meeting point between the nationalist and responsible outlook of Likud headed by me, and between the leftist list of Tzipi and Bougie, which now turns out to be an extreme leftist list.”
\’Unity would send message to U.S.\’
A source in the prime minister’s circle said that a unity government would signal to the United States and Europe that Jersualem is interested in an arrangement with the Palestinians and blur the series of steps those countries are liable to advance against Israel.
A centrist government might also soften the Palestinian plan to enlist the International Criminal Court in The Hague in the struggle against Israel by filing a wave of suits against Israeli politicians, military men and settlers. Even now, before forming a new government, Netanyahu has sent signals to America and Europe of his readiness for moderation; two weeks ago the Prime Minister\’s Office asked the Jerusalem municipality to drop a plan to build 800 new homes in the Har Homa neighborhood in East Jerusalem from the agenda set for a Jerusalem District Planning Commission meeting, and instead advance a master plan for an Arab village in the eastern part of the city.
Likud sources say that adding Zionist Union to the coalition is still a possibility. “One can assume that if Netanyahu tries to form a coalition with Zionist Union, he will try to prevent the entrance of Tzipi Livni and Hatnuah [Livni’s former party] into his government because of the bad blood between them,” said one source. “If the move succeeds, it would mean a split in Zionist Union.”
Another source noted, “We aren’t totally sure that Herzog is capable of bringing his party to take a dramatic step like joining Likud. It’s clear that for the move to succeed, Netanyahu would have to give Herzog a substantial benefits package. One of the moves being considered is proposing a rotation of the premiership with Herzog during the [government’s] fourth year, but it’s doubtful anyone will go with that in the end.”
Netanyahu meets with Kahlon
Likud officials said Monday that a meeting between Kulanu chairman Moshe Kahlon and Netanyahu two days ago significantly advanced the talks between the two parties. The core of their differences lies in the Planning Administration, which Kahlon has demanded be taken from the Interior Ministry and given to his party. It is still not clear, however, under which ministry the administration will operate if Kahlon receives authority over it.
Likud has marked Kulanu as a senior coalition partner, and so it appears that the majority of the differences still remaining will be solved quickly and will enable to Netanyahu to draw up a coalition agreement between the two parties.
However, the negotiations with Habayit Hayehudi continue to lag: Representatives of the two parties met Monday at the Knesset for three hours, at the end of which it emerged that no significant progress had been made. Habayit Hayehudi Chairman Naftali Bennett tweeted following the meeting that "there is important progress regarding our demand to raise soldier\’s salaries/grants."
Other issues are still stuck. Bennett met with Shas leader Aryeh Deri for one-on-one talks Monday night to smooth out coalition issues. One of the main confrontations between the two is the fact that each is demanding the Religious Affairs Ministry.