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Livni considers more power for rabbinical courts in bid to lure Shas
By Mazal Mualem, Haaretz Correspondent and Haaretz Service
Tags: Tzipi Livni, Shas, Kadima 

Prime Minister-designate Tzipi Livni has reportedly said she would discuss a demand from Shas to extend the rabbinical courts' jurisdiction to civil disputes between couples to try to persuade the ultra-Orthodox party to join the coalition. Consequently, Shas reported some progress in the coalition negotiations on Thursday.

Livni set an ultimatum on Thursday, giving her potential coalition partners three days to join a new government under her leadership or face the prospect of new elections.

Shas had previously demanded expanding the rabbinical courts' jurisdiction during 2006 coalition negotiation with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. However Olmert, Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann and Social Affairs Minister Isaac Herzog objected to this demand, which they said would infringe on the secular public's rights and undermine the status quo.
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If Shas' demand is met, Livni may have to face opposition from within the Labor Party and strain the already tense relations with Friedmann.

As far as Shas is concerned, the move is a coup - bolstering the rabbinical courts that would be able to rule on property issues between couples, among other things.

Shas has recently raised this demand in talks with Livni, arguing that an agreement on this issue had already been reached and must be kept.

Livni also agreed to revoke the reduction in the yeshiva budget, estimated at NIS 400 million, for 2009. However, Shas is still dissatisfied with Livni's offer regarding child allowances. Shas is demanding NIS 1 billion while Livni is willing to give NIS 600 million in the 2009 budget and give Shas NIS 350 million for sectorial needs detailed in the coalition agreement.

Shas' spiritual mentor, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, is now expected to decide whether the party can join the coalition.

Livni, who under law has until Nov. 3 to put together a parliamentary majority, informed President Shimon Peres of her decision.

"This is the time for decisions for all of us - either a government or elections and the decision will fall on Sunday and until Sunday everyone is going to have to some soul searching and make their decision," she told her Kadima party.

Since Livni's election a month ago as head of the Kadima party she has been meeting almost daily with potential partners who have made stiff demands for political posts and budget funds.

Livni also vowed not to give in to "illegitimate" demands by other parties in coalition talks. She was apparently referring to demands of Shas and the Pensioners' Party for billions extra in budget funds.

She said: "I know that you have to pay and I am willing to pay prices to form a government, especially when I know the price of holding an election in Israel but I am not willing to pay any price or to cross a line that I think will be irresponsible,"

Also Thursday, the Pensioners Party pulled out of coalition negotiations with Kadima. The party argued that the offer that had been made to them had been far from acceptable. "In this situation there is no point in engaging in negotiations - it's a waste of time," party officials said.

Coalition talks between Kadima and Shas seemed on the verge of breaking down on Wednesday night, after the ultra-Orthodox party rejected Livni's offer to raise child stipends.

Shas MKs said the Kadima chairwoman's newest offer, to transfer NIS 800 million to child stipends and various religious institutions, was insufficient.

Sources close to Livni said the offer was a "test of Shas' real intentions - whether it is conducting futile negotiations in order to bring about elections, or is actually interested in joining the government."

Kadima and Shas negotiating teams are expected to meet again on Thursday. MK Tzachi Hanegbi has joined the Kadima team in order to work to soften Shas' position.

Livni is also continuing to advance coalition talks with United Torah Judaism, Meretz and the Pensioners Party. She seeks to present a coalition on Monday, the first day of the Knesset's winter session. Without Shas, Livni will put forth a coalition with a slim majority of only 60 Knesset members.

Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz is spearheading a campaign against a narrow coalition, which at least six Kadima MKs are expected to vote against.

Opposition to a narrow coalition is also growing within the Pensioners Party.

"Our inclination is that elections are preferable to a narrow coalition of 60 Knesset members," said party chair Rafi Eitan. "It will be impossible to work in such a government."

Related articles:
  • Kadima fumes as Mofaz, Shas meet behind Livni's back
  • ANALYSIS / Shas leaders think Livni can't give them what they want
  • Peres grants Livni extra two weeks to form coalition
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      1.   rejection 06:47  |  colin 23/10/08
      2.   Livni times up, its time to call new elections now 07:31  |  Livin In Rishon 23/10/08
      3.   Few hearts will be broken...... 08:04  |  Dagma 23/10/08
      4.   Good - maybe now we can have some REAL elections 08:11  |  B`Galil 23/10/08
      5.   They want MORE money for religious institutions???? 08:13  |  B`Galil 23/10/08
      6.   Futile Negotiations..... 08:40  |  Natasha 23/10/08
      7.   KADIMA,SHAS,the DEVIL & Co. 14:01  |  chop-chop 23/10/08
      8.   fundraising 15:09  |  ben packer 23/10/08
      9.   if livni is serious who is goin gto say kaddish for kadima ? 15:26  |  victor hardman 23/10/08
      10.   Why wait, call new elections today! 15:32  |  Wise Saba 23/10/08
      11.   Shas are not afraid of elections - Livni you are 15:34  |  Gee 23/10/08
      12.   typo in abstract 16:04  |  Michael 23/10/08
      13.   Reply to Dagma (Post No. 3) 16:08  |  Johnny Weintraub 23/10/08
      14.   Good, finally, at last 16:13  |  jackie 23/10/08
      15.   Peres needs to say times up Now, 17:05  |  Shepherd 23/10/08
      16.   reject the blackmail 17:08  |  mula 23/10/08
      17.   Shas do not back down you will be rewarded at the next election 17:09  |  Kipperraes 23/10/08
      18.   Finally, Maybe Israel will have a leader 17:45  |  Nathaniel 23/10/08
      19.   Livni Do Us All A Favor Call New Elections Today 18:00  |  Times Up 23/10/08
      20.   Kadima,Livni and Barak are afraid of new elections 18:07  |  Sderot will vote 23/10/08
      21.   Shas will, like their fellow criminals in kadima and labor,... 18:27  |  bat yam 23/10/08
      22.   As a Canadian who made 18:52  |  Robert Haymond 23/10/08
      23.   NETANYAHU vs. LIVNI in TORAH CODES 19:38  |  Barry S. Roffman 23/10/08
      24.   Hello.....Elections,.. whew finally.. 19:45  |  Stephen. 23/10/08
      25.   Cant wait...elections now... 19:56  |  Samuel 23/10/08
      26.   Livni`s Coalition of Crooks, Draft Dodgers, and Imbeciles 19:58  |  Tod Zuckerman 23/10/08
      27.   Finally election in the offering 20:04  |  H.H.M. 23/10/08
      28.   Livni do us a favor. Don`t wait till Sunday call elections today 20:25  |  Pella 23/10/08
      29.   let traders out of the temple? 21:09  |  Ben 23/10/08
      30.   Bravo Zipi Livni 21:13  |  Israeli citizen 23/10/08
      31.   please go away livini-olmert says "we" are tired of winning 21:50  |  yahn goodey 23/10/08
      32.   A PM affraid of an election is unworthy of leading the nation 22:11  |  Akram Zekaria 23/10/08
      33.   coalition 22:28  |  terry 23/10/08
      34.   A more noble idea for the pensioners... 23:19  |  Esther 23/10/08
      35.   terry #33 23:24  |  Esther 23/10/08
      36.   #33 is terry serious? if likud are elected that is israelschoice 23:53  |  victor hardman 23/10/08
      37.   NEver happen 00:23  |  Arie 24/10/08
      38.   ...So it`s either with Shas... or Bibi ruling su again. 00:25  |  Fortuna Benmayor 24/10/08
      39.   Livni: I`ll call elections 01:16  |  Gary 24/10/08
      40.   The world will be watching! 01:17  |  Dutch Dirk 24/10/08
      41.   If you want more surrender, terror attacks, disengagement.... 02:40  |  Jordan 24/10/08
      42.   aything to kill democracy .. what happened to Livnis new politics 02:50  |  zionist forever 24/10/08
      43.   Yes, give the Mullah`s more power! 03:09  |  tbart 24/10/08
      44.   Extortionists,Blackmailers,Parasites,and SHNORERS, 03:11  |  tbart 24/10/08
      45.   Go Bibi! - 2nd try 03:36  |  BBSNews 24/10/08
      46.   LIVNI ITS OVER CALL FOR NEW ELECTIONS ALREADY 03:41  |  THE WARRIOR 24/10/08
      47.   An open question for Israeli`s about Netanyahu 04:11  |  Yo 24/10/08
      48.   She would sell her nation`s soul for power 05:03  |  Mark Lincoln 24/10/08
      49.   Identical sins 05:17  |  Morris Valentine 24/10/08
      50.   Tzippy Are you at Macy`s with our credit card 05:37  |  Ilan 24/10/08
      51.   Shas or Bibi 05:37  |  Mark Lincoln 24/10/08
      52.   What a difference 60 years make 05:48  |  Mark Lincoln 24/10/08
      53.   To # 40 05:59  |  Hans 24/10/08
      54.   Does Shas care about Jerusalem or not? 06:46  |  ZADOK 24/10/08
      55.   no to Jewish sharia 06:48  |  bob 24/10/08
      56.   to lure Shas 06:57  |  Ralph 24/10/08
      57.   Your concern for Palestine is touching 07:06  |  Ilan 24/10/08
      58.   The real story is.... 07:21  |  Hans 24/10/08
      59.   What can we expect from a Kadima government ? 07:29  |  Jean Van Daem 24/10/08
      60.   Religious Blackmail 07:35  |  Roxy 24/10/08
      61.   To WHAT danger zones would Livni go to stay in Power? 07:47  |  Dagma 24/10/08
      62.   Can`t Livni see the `Light` 08:04  |  Onlooker 24/10/08
      63.   blackmail by shas 08:47  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 24/10/08
      64.   If Israel is a democracy... 08:47  |  Moshe 24/10/08
      65.   What a waste of precious time.....No Way Out...... 09:06  |  Dolly 24/10/08
      66.   Anything to be a Prime Minster ! 09:22  |  Akram Zekaria 24/10/08
      67.   Livni considers more power for rabbinical courts in bid to lure S 09:57  |  Gerald Zang 24/10/08
      68.   Ted, you lack some basic information 10:02  |  Zev Davis 24/10/08
      69.   I must have been nuts to support Livni 10:26  |  steve 24/10/08
      70.   69# Stev. What kind of a Democrate you are ? 15:06  |  Akram Zekaria 24/10/08
      71.   Dangerous to vote for Livni She should give up! 15:31  |  The Threadmill 24/10/08
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