The Jerusalem Post Internet Edition

Yishai wishes to bridge gaps with Livni
Oct. 16, 2008
Gil Hoffman and jpost.com staff , THE JERUSALEM POST

Shas chairman Eli Yishai expressed optimism Thursday following coalition talks with Foreign Minister and new Kadima leader Tzipi Livni.

"Gaps still remain, but there is a willingness to bridge them," he said, stressing the need for a government focusing on socioeconomic issues. "We want a big portion of the money for family grants to be allocated in the 2009 budget," he added.

Livni and Yishai agreed to move the negotiations up a gear and the Shas and Kadima negotiating teams were scheduled to meet on Thursday evening.

Earlier Thursday, the Meretz and Kadima negotiating teams met at Livni's office in Tel Aviv.

A Kadima spokesman said that the meeting was "positive" and that Meretz chairman Haim Oron and the party's faction head Zehava Gal-On presented their demands that are to be advanced further in a continuation of talks on Saturday night.

A Meretz spokesman said that diplomatic and socioeconomic issues, and matters of the rule of law were discussed in detail.

Earlier, Zehava Gal-On told Israel Radio that Oron would consider the party a coalition partner if its socioeconomic and peace process demands were met.

Gal-On said that Meretz had no interest in joining a government that did not seek to advance an agreement on the core issues in peace talks with the Palestinians, including Jerusalem. She also said Meretz would find it difficult to join the coalition if Daniel Friedmann remains justice minister.

But cold hard cash, that is what drives Shas today, they would give up everything for a little more money.