Lieberman Meets Ultra-Orthodox Leader, Hints at Compromise
Translated & summarized from Cursorinfo by baba
Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Yisrael Beiteinu, met with Yaakov Asher of United Torah Judaism, signaling a potential shift from his demand to exclude ultra-Orthodox parties from the government. Lieberman also opposes a minority government and joining Netanyahu's unity government. The meeting followed Netanyahu's talks with Shas leader Arie Deri, as both aim to block the "change bloc." Lieberman also assumed leadership of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Avigdor Lieberman met with Yaakov Asher, potentially softening his stance on excluding ultra-Orthodox parties from government.
- Lieberman opposes a minority government and joining Benjamin Netanyahu's proposed unity government.
- The meeting occurred after Netanyahu negotiated with Shas leader Arie Deri, both seeking to thwart the "change bloc."
- Lieberman took over as head of the Knesset's temporary Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
- A key dispute involves the demand for a conscription law before forming a new government.
Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, met with Yaakov Asher, head of the United Torah Judaism party, in the Knesset. During the meeting, Lieberman did not deny reports that he had abandoned his pre-election demand to exclude ultra-Orthodox parties from the next government, according to the Ynet news portal. Asher's office sarcastically explained the meeting by stating their offices are opposite each other and Asher merely stopped by to borrow coffee. Despite this potential shift, Lieberman maintains his opposition to a minority government supported externally by Ra'am and still rules out joining a national unity government led by Benjamin Netanyahu.
The meeting between Lieberman and Asher occurred shortly after negotiations between Netanyahu and Shas party leader Arie Deri. This was their first encounter since the elections, which saw significant losses for Shas. Both Deri and Netanyahu are reportedly working to prevent the formation of a government led by the "change bloc." Netanyahu continues to advocate for a national unity government under his leadership, claiming it has majority public support.
In other developments, Lieberman officially took charge of the Knesset's temporary Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Talia Lanki, a Yisrael Beiteinu representative, was appointed as his deputy. The temporary Finance Committee will be headed by Liran Avishar Ben-Horin from the Be-Yahad party. These appointments were approved at the first session of the organizational commission, chaired by Roi Folkman. Previously, reports indicated that a key point of contention between the "change bloc," Lieberman, and the ultra-Orthodox parties was the demand to pass a conscription law before forming a new government.
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