There is already some speculation that Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Lieberman will appoint an outside minister, someone from outside his party – not just someone but a chareidi.

Lieberman and former Shas leader R’ Aryeh Deri are close associates, dating back at least to the days of Binyamin Netanyahu’s previous tenure as prime minister, when Lieberman served as his director-general, running affairs in the Prime  Minister’s Office. The relationship took off and they maintain a good working relationship to this very day.

Such an appointment would have to be on hold until Elul, when Deri’s ‘moral turpitude’ stain expires, permitting him to hold public office. One of the many questions is if the coalition will permit holding a post open that long, or perhaps appoint a minister who would then step down for Deri.

One of the obvious advantages to such a move is that Lieberman would squelch the cries against him, accusing him of being anti-chareidi. It would be quite the feat – a secular party using one of its ministerial posts to appoint an outsider, a chareidi no less.

Nevertheless, there is already a buzz of such a possibility becoming reality, but for now, it remains in the realm of speculation.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)