Israel’s designated prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a coalition deal that will give a hardline, pro-settler party control over a number of key government ministries and a senior role in overseeing the construction of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The agreement with the Religious Zionism party marked an important breakthrough for Netanyahu as he tries to cobble together a government following November 1 elections.
But it also could set the stage for conflict with key allies, first and foremost the United States.
Netanyahu’s Likud Party said that Religious Zionism would share control over the finance ministry, run the government ministry in charge of immigration and head a new ministry for “national missions”.
It said a party member would also hold a special ministerial level post in the defence ministry in charge of settlement construction in the occupied West Bank, in co-ordination with Netanyahu.
“This is a significant additional step that nears us toward the formation of a right-wing, national government,” Netanyahu said.
The deal also gives Religious Zionism control of a parliamentary committee expected to approve sweeping reforms in the country’s legal system.
These are expected to include changes that could freeze or dismiss criminal charges against Netanyahu.
Read the article in Perth Now.