Amid reports that Yahadut Hatorah would be signing a coalition agreement on Wednesday, 10 Iyar, prominent Israeli columnist Dan Margalit joined the once again growing anti-chareidi sentiment. He referred to the developing deal between Likud and Yahadut Hatorah as �extorting the state coffer�.

In his Yisrael Hayom newspaper column on Wednesday, Margalit stated �The agreement with the chareidim made me short of breath, nothing less�.

On his Twitter account he wrote �The Likud gave in to the chareidim at the expense of the dati leumi sector and the status of many civil service rabbonim regarding giyur. As a committed Zionist I am beginning to feel shortness of breath�. He continues by questioning how Bayit Yehudi leader Naftali Bennett is agreeing to what appears to be a closed deal.

Interestingly, Channel 10 correspondent Amnon Levi came out as the tzaddik in Sodom, defending the reported coalition agreement with Yahadut Hatorah. He stated �The increase in monthly child allowances, dental care for children, insurance reform for long-term healthcare, and eliminating the criminal sanctions component of the draft law make me happy as the Lapid laws are finally eliminated�.

The�Yahadut Hatorah agreement was signed on Wednesday afternoon.

(YWN � Israel Desk, Jerusalem)