I catch up with MK Yaakov Margi, No. 4 on the Shas list, during an event to inaugurate the party's headquarters in Kiryat Gat. He has been spending the last few days traveling from city to city, visiting party branches, helping as much as he can with the Shas election campaign.<\/p>\r\n
I contacted him after a story was published this morning in Israel Hayom, according to which he said: "The majority of Shas' electorate wants to be sure that we will be partners in a right-wing government.".<\/p>\r\n
\""I was not interviewed," he says. "The reporter asked me about what was published on Channel 2, that Shas is taking steps to support Netanyahu. I am not leading the negotiations, and I did not make any official statement on behalf of the headquarters. I only explained the rationale behind this publication.".<\/p>\r\n
\""Deri rightly said that on the one hand we are not closed with anyone, and it is correct to say that, because if we are closed, in advance, with one side - one side or another - it will weaken us in the negotiations. Any statement that puts pressure on Netanyahu is good. If we promise him in advance - the negotiations are fruitless.<\/p>\r\n
\""On the other hand, we all know that most Shas voters want a government led by Likud. And there are many hesitant people who want to join us, but are waiting for a statement supporting Likud.".<\/p>\r\n
\""Historically, even when the Likud didn't want us to embrace it before the elections, because it thought it would harm it, Shas did so and declared in advance that it would recommend Netanyahu to the president.".<\/p>\r\n
\""So it's not that they're saying it explicitly now, but elections are a tactic. We also need to remember that a left-wing government, according to the polls, can only exist with the support of the United Arab List - so, is it serious that Shas will be part of such a government?"<\/p>\r\n
\""Bozi Herzog does not, according to the current situation as reflected in the polls, have 61 Jewish Knesset members who will support him.<\/p>\r\n
\""And again, I'm talking about tactical statements, I'm explaining the rationale, I'm not conducting the negotiations on behalf of Shas.".<\/p>\r\n
\""There's a dilemma here - on the one hand, it's not wise to declare support for Netanyahu now, it will weaken Shas in the negotiations, on the other hand, the voters do want it. Therefore, Aryeh said on Channel 2, and rightly so, that on the one hand, we are not in Likud's pocket. On the other hand, there is a good chance of support for Likud.".<\/p>\r\n
\u2022 Aren't you angry with Netanyahu for what he's done in recent years?<\/p>\r\n
\""Angry, and I assume that will be reflected in the negotiations..."\"<\/p>\r\n
\u2022 Would you like more?<\/p>\r\n
\""I don't know if we will ask for more, but it will be expressed. What is certain is that if there are statements that will free Netanyahu from any pressure regarding Shas, the negotiations will already be fruitless.".<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\""If there are statements that will free Netanyahu from any pressure - negotiations with him will be fruitless" \u2022 On the other hand: "Most Shas voters want a right-wing government" \u2022 On the third hand: "A left-wing government, according to the polls, only exists with the support of the Arabs. Well, is it serious that Shas would be part of such a government?"\"","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-135815","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-1"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n