United Torah Judaism denied emphatically that it had agreed
in any way to join a government headed by Ehud Barak. An
editorial in the Hebrew language Yated Ne'eman
entitled "Lehadam" (Lo Hoyu Devorim Mei'olom)
explained that the only activity so far has been the basic
talks that are part of the routine of forming any coalition,
and they do not signal any special willingness or fundamental
agreement or even interest in joining the government in
formation.
The editorial said that the absolute condition laid down by
maranan verabonon for even entering into talks is a
firm commitment to preserve the status of yeshiva students,
and this has not yet been forthcoming. Senior party sources
also said that no decision could be made until it the
ultimate makeup of the coalition is clear.
Recent rumors, apparently floated by the negotiators of One
Israel, have persistently said that Barak is assured of a
"narrow" 66-member coalition, but is working toward a broader
one that would include Shas or the Likud. Furthermore, Barak
is not even left with an assured 61 members (after removing
the five seats of UTJ) since the Mafdal, which is included in
the calculations, has said repeatedly that it does not want
to be the only religious party in a government.
Natan Scharansky, leader of the Russian Yisrael B'Aliya
party, and one of the key elements of the coalition, is also
reported to have told Barak that he is unhappy with several
of One Israel's policy proposals.
Barak's calculations are pinned on a coalition including One
Israel (26), Meretz (10), Yisrael B'Aliya (6), Shinui (6),
the Center Party (6), the National Religious Party (5),
United Torah Judaism (5), and Am Echad (2). None of the press
speculation has explained how Shinui and UTJ could be part of
a single government.
There will be a government," Barak said Monday night. "Its
size depends on the responsibility displayed by party
leaders."
Following a meeting with Barak Monday night, Meretz leader
Yossi Sarid said he believes at the end of the day Shas will
be in the coalition. Should that be the case, he told
reporters, "Meretz will support Barak from outside the
coalition." Sarid said that his party and his voters have
full confidence in Barak. Observers said that it was not
clear if Sarid's remarks signal a genuine willingness to sit
out the government or were merely a negotiating ploy to
pressure One Israel.
Shas MK Eli Yishai told The Jerusalem Post that Barak
cannot survive unless his party is drafted into the
coalition. "Without us the government will be so narrow it
won't even get of the ground," he said. Yishai further
pledged that should Shas be included in the coalition, it
"won't only give public backing to Barak but real
support."
