Coalition talks between Elad�s new mayor Yisrael Porush and the Shas party broke down on Tuesday, 16 Kislev 5774.

According to Shas officials, shortly before coalition talks were set to resume during the morning hours they were informed of a new venue, the office of a real estate developer. After discussing the matter with the party�s attorney it was decided they were unwilling to conduct coalition talks in a real estate office.

According to Elad�s Shas leader Tzuriel Krisfel, the arrangement between Mayor Porush and real estate official Yehuda Vatzler is illegal and that is why they were unwilling to meet in his office. Krisfel sent a harshly worded letter to Porush a day earlier addressing Vatzler�s position with City Hall, citing it is illegal, but it appears Porush sees the situation in a different light. According to Shas the latter has landed himself a post in the mayor�s office without signing any contract with them and without publishing a tender for the position. Krisfel has already contacted the city�s legal advisor to raise the matter.

Porush officials told the media �we were surprised to learn of Shas� cancelation via the media and the reason remains unclear. This is simply a continuation of the defamatory campaign against the professional selected by Porush to assist him during this difficult period towards meeting the challenges facing him��

Porush officials stressed that efforts to build the broadest possible coalition will continue.

(YWN � Israel Desk, Jerusalem)