Barak,s Triumph: 45 days to create new government
Coalitions
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.EHUD BARAK, the Israeli prime minister-elect, began moves yesterday to form a government from the various warring parties that have just taken part in Israel's most bitter election campaign.
As he did so, Arieh Deri, the leader of Shas, the party representing the ultra-orthodox Sephardic Jews, announced his resignation, to open the way for his party to join a new government. Mr Deri was sentenced last month to four years in prison for accepting $155,000 (pounds 98,000) in bribes, and Mr Barak had said he could not appoint him as a minister.
Ironically, Shas had a triumphant election, substantially increasing its representation in the Knesset. Although Mr Barak won an unprecedented victory, defeating Benjamin Netanyahu by 56 per cent to 44 per cent, he has to create an administration out of 15 parties, all of whom elected representatives. The resignation of Mr Deri may mean that Mr Barak is intending to include Shas, to allow him to broaden the base of his government.
Part of the key to Mr Barak's success was a secular reaction against the influence of the ultra-orthodox. This helped him to win critical votes from Russian immigrants, but also creates a problem for him in forming a government if he does not want to force all the ultra-orthodox parties into opposition.
Shas is the most obvious choice as a coalition partner because it has a moderate stance on territorial compromise over the West Bank and the Golan Heights, both of which were captured by Israel in 1967. The secular and left- wing parties are not in a mood to compromise because they represent anti-clerical constituents and did well in the election. Part of the crowd at Mr Barak's victory rally in Tel Aviv chanted "No to Shas".
Mr Barak now has 45 days to form a government. If he forms a narrowly based cabinet, with ministers from the centre-left, he might have difficulty carrying out a territorial withdrawal from the West Bank. But if he includes parties from the centre right, such as Likud, from which Mr Netanyahu has just resigned as leader, he may find that his administration is para- lysed by indecision.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments