Former Shas leader R’ Aryeh Deri responded angrily to reports from Kadima officials that he may be working towards bringing Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Lieberman to a Kadima coalition. According to the reports, Deri is working with Kadima Minister Chaim Ramon.

Deri stated there is absolutely no truth to the statements, adding, “If I am already using my influence in Knesset, I would push the chareidi parties to join a government headed by Binyamin Netanyahu”.

The situation is a complicated one. “The chareidi parties are maintaining a low profile as to avoid increasing the appetite of both Kadima and Yisrael Beitenu pertaining to maters of religion and state”.

Deri also points out that current difficult fiscal realities present a major hurdle towards chareidi parties achieving any significant funding successes, adding he is hopeful they can maintain the current realities.

Deri believes that at the end of the process, the chareidim, Lieberman and Kadima will all be part of the same government. He feels it is extremely important for the chareidi parties to remain silent at present, and to assist Netanyahu to build a coalition, hopefully without prompting the others to begin making coalition demands regarding religion and state.

Deri believes the economic situation in Israel will grow significantly worse, and whatever government rules, there will be no budgetary parties. He feels the soldiers’ votes may change things around, as Netanyahu hopes. If the equation equals out and Kadima loses its one-seat lead, it will compel Kadima to move into a broad government headed by Netanyahu he feels.

Deri does not believe that Mofaz will break away and move to Likud, explaining he feels the former IDF commander does not have a strong enough following among Kadima officials to make the move.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)