Kadima ministers undecided on joining coalition
Will Livni's party join Netanyahu-led government? Boim says coalition talks between Kadima, Likud possible. Sheetrit: If Kadima joins a narrow rightist government it will disappear
Before the cabinet meeting Sunday morning, Housing Minister Ze'ev Boim (Kadima) spoke about the possibility for coalition negotiations between Kadima and Likud, but conditioned such talks on the fact that no agreement was signed between Likud and Shas on the issue of allowances on the eve of elections.
"If, as (Shas Chairman) Eli Yishai says, there are no agreements from the Right on Benjamin Netanyahu's back and the table is indeed clear, there is place for negotiation," said Boim.
Representing the opposite point of view, Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit said that he was opposed to Kadima joining the coalition. "If Kadima joins a government which does not work to advance the peace process and the talks with the Palestinians, a narrow right-wing government, it will disappear," said Sheetrit.
He added, "We believe Netanyahu made a commitment to Shas in advance…. If the public elected a right-wing government, the Likud should form it with 65 Knesset seats. We don't need to be there to soften a narrow right-wing coalition."
Deputy Prime Minister and Shas Chairman Eli Yishai said Sunday that his party "did not reach any agreement with the Likud," calling talk of such agreements pre-election spin.
Yishai also called on Kadima to "show responsibility and join the government if they have any responsibility to this nation."
