Coalition talks for the formation of Israel’s new government started Sunday after Benjamin Netanyahu was given the green light by President Peres.
The talks take place at the Kfar Maccabiah hotel in Ramat Gan and will go in order of how many seats each party won. Sunday, the team of Likud-Beitenu met with Yesh Atid, Jewish Home and Shas.
Monday will see meetings between Likud Beitenu and United Torah Judaism, Hatnua and Kadima.
Not on the list is the Labor Party, which has already ruled out joining a Netanyahu-led coalition, far left-wing Meretz and the three Arab parties: Hadash, Ra’am-Ta’al and Balad.
On Saturday night, Netanyahu said he would try to form the widest coalition possible while pledging to try to heal many of Israel’s internal divides — on equality of military service, on easing economic burdens, and on electoral reform — “without tearing the nation apart.”
Netanyahu also said neutralizing the Iranian nuclear threat would be his government’s first task, and his government would work toward peace with the Palestinians.
The speech was likely a nod to the secular-oriented, centrist Yesh Atid party, led by Yair Lapid, which campaigned on a platform of socioeconomic reform and drafting the ultra-Orthodox. The fresh-faced party won 19 seats in the new Knesset, Israel’s parliament, becoming the second most important political group.
Media reports have indicated that Netanyahu is willing to offer Lapid the finance or foreign affairs portfolios/
The nationalist Jewish Home party, the fourth largest with 12 seats, is also angling to join the coalition, though a personal tiff between Netanyahu and party leader Naftali Bennett may throw a wrench in those plans.
Jewish Home party and Yesh Atid on Sunday informally agreed to push for universal conscription based on a plan detailed by Yair Lapid, should the parties join a coalition.
Ultra-Orthodox Shas, which sat in Netanyahu’s coalition over the last three years, has made no bones about its desire to join the government, though doing so might mean compromising on the ultra-Orthodox draft.
Party leader Aryeh Deri wrote that Shas intends to make effort necessary to advance a solution to the draft issue that “prevents a national rift,” echoing a phrase used by Netanyahu the night before.
“I am wholly hopeful that we will succeed in arriving at an understanding that will provide a response for all Israeli citizens,” he said.
On Saturday night, party leader Eli Yishai said his party likely would not be welcomed to sit alongside Yesh Atid and therefore end up in the opposition.
Netanyahu has 28 days to form a coalition according to the law, though he can request an extension from President Peres if needed.