On the way to closure with Abbas • Assessment: swearing in the government - after the holiday

May 9, 2021   

Yamina Chairman Naftali Bennett and Ra'am Chairman Mansur Abbas met today (Sunday) for about three hours - as part of the negotiations to establish a 'boycott government'. What are your chances of winning a duplex? And why is your dream closer than ever? Free: How much money are you losing because you don't know what your rights are? What do you say about white chocolate with cookie crumbs? And what about a tasty snack? A senior source in the Knesset confirmed that significant progress was made in the meeting, towards agreements that will allow the government to be sworn in after Shavuot. It is estimated that Abbas will vote for the government and be part of the coalition, but will not serve as a minister. Knesset demanded the chairmanship of the Committee to Fight Crime, the chairmanship of another committee, and the position of Deputy Speaker of the Knesset. In addition, Knesset demands budgets and plans to fight crime and illegal construction in the Arab sector, and solutions for the illegal settlements in the Negev. This is the same list of demands that was also submitted to Netanyahu. A Bennett-Lapid-Abbas meeting will be held tomorrow, in preparation for a possible closure between them. After the meeting, Yamina issued a statement: "The meeting was good, during which the two discussed the various options. It was agreed that the negotiation teams will stay in touch and meet later.".

Who will get what?

The Yesh Atid and Yamina negotiating teams met throughout the day with all the teams of the parties that are supposed to take part in the 'boycott government'. According to a report in Kan News, one of the difficulties facing the left-wing parties is the fact that Bennett and Saar arrived in coordination and vetoed the education, interior and justice portfolios - and demanded that these portfolios be in their possession, a demand that angered the left-wing parties. According to a report on Channel 12, Saar is expected to become Minister of Justice. Yamina senior Ayelet Shaked, who wanted this portfolio, will be offered a series of senior portfolios to choose from as compensation: the interior portfolio, the public security portfolio or the education portfolio. The negotiation managers would like to see Meretz Chairman Nitzan Horowitz in the Health Ministry, but he still insists on receiving the education portfolio. Tamar Zandberg is expected to serve as Minister of Environmental Protection. In the meantime, there is no agreement with the Labor Party regarding the portfolios she will receive - but talks are expected to continue throughout the evening.

When will the government be sworn in?

In all that concerns the basic guidelines of the government - the party leaders agreed on a year in which ideological issues will not be promoted except with the consent of all. In the political context, Bennett said today in a meeting he held with members of his faction that he intends to continue Netanyahu's policy in practice: without annexation and the establishment of new settlements, but also without freezing construction and the evacuation of settlements. Among the demands of Gideon Sa'ar in the new government, who, as mentioned, is likely to serve as the next Minister of Justice: splitting the role of the Attorney General. The assessment tonight is that the inauguration, if all the summaries are reached, will take place next week - after Shavuot. In order to swear in a government, the agreements must be submitted by Wednesday, and right now it appears that this will not happen. This means: due to the holiday, the inauguration will be postponed to next Tuesday - which guarantees another 9 days of heavy pressure on Yamina.