There was no progress reported following Monday night�s round of coalition talks between Yahadut HaTorah representatives and Likud negotiators. Yaakov Litzman reported following the meeting that the issue of giyur was presenting a major hurdle. UTJ refuses to recognize state-run conversion courts, stemming from the dispute that surrounded the giyur of thousands of people under the auspices of Rabbi Chaim Druckman Shlita, who was appointed to head the state-run authority by Ariel Sharon.

After leaving Likud negotiators, Litzman met with Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Lieberman, whose party stands behind the demands for a civil marriage alternative for those who wish to bypass the Chief Rabbinate.

From the Degel HaTorah faction, Moshe Gafne updated Maran Rav Yehuda Leib Shteinman Shlita following Monday night�s negotiations. (Yechiel Spira � YWN Israel)
a � YWN Israel)