Bennett drops demand for Foreign or Defense, eyes Education Ministry
Bayit Yehudi leader initially didn't want the education portfolio, but 'fell in love with the job' after speaking to past education officials; increasing number of ministers from 18 to 22 vital to reaching coalition agreements.
With just 12 days until Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's second deadline to form a new government, Bayit Yehudi chairman Naftali Bennett has shifted his demand for the Foreign or Defense Ministry, and is now asking for the Education Ministry.
This is a 180-degree change in Bennett's position. Until last weekend, he had repeatedly refused to accept the education portfolio, with sources close to him saying the Likud was trying to "force" the ministry on the Bayit Yehudi leader to steer him away from the more senior ministries.
According to sources in Bayit Yehudi, Bennett changed his mind about the Education Ministry after meeting with previous education ministers, former Education Ministry director-generals and school headmasters, and "fell in love with the job."
However, despite Bennett's new-found interest in the Education Ministry, he might not get the appointment as four senior Likud MKs are eyeing the job - Gilad Erdan, Yuval Steinitz, Ze'ev Elkin and Tzipi Hotovely. If Bennett insists on the Education Ministry, it could cause friction within the Likud that would make it harder for the Bayit Yehudi leader to get the education portfolio.
Regardless, Bennett's decision to drop his demand for a senior position in the next cabinet guarantees the appointment of Ayelet Shaked as the party's third minister.
At present, it appears that Uri Ariel, currently the construction minister, will receive the Agriculture Ministry, while Shaked could be appointed minister of culture and sport.
Bayit Yehudi's field activists are pleased with Bennett's change of heart, given that the national-religious sector is particularly interested in shaping the education system in years to come.
During its past incarnation as the National Religious Party (Mafdal), the party did hold the education portfolio, with former party leader Zevulun Hammer serving as the education minister.
Recently, Bennett was said to be seeking a senior position to avoid being perceived as "Zevulun Hammer's heir."
Meanwhile, the Likud has also made progress in coalition talks with Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beytenu.
As it currently stands, Lieberman is expected to remain as foreign minister, while MK Sofa Landver will get to keep the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption. In addition, no.2 on the party list, MK Orly Levy-Abekasis, is expected to chair one of the Knesset committees.
An increase in the number of ministers from 18 to 22 is at the center of the coalition agreements that the Likud is formulating with the other parties. This will allow Netanyahu to meet the different demands from his potential partners.
To do so, the Knesset would have to change an amendment made to Basic Law: The Government passed in the last Knesset, which limited the number of ministers to 18. The future coalition partners will likely have to commit to vote in favor of such a change.
While both Shas and Yisrael Beytenu said during coalition negotiations that they oppose such a move, as did Kulanu leader Moshe Kahlon, who expressed his objections during his elections campaign, they are all expected to fall in line.
Kulanu's negotiations team was set to meet with the Likud team on Sunday to formulate the coalition agreement between the two parties, which is expected to be signed during the week.
United Torah Judaism and Shas are also expected to finalize their coalition agreements and sign them in the coming days.
While there's still a dispute the in Likud talks with Shas over the Interior Ministry, the party is expected to get three ministries: Interior, Welfare or Development of the Negev and Galilee, and Religious Services.
The religious services portfolio is also sought by Bayit Yehudi, which has caused some tensions, but the possibility has been raised of dividing the ministry's authorities between the two parties.
