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Lieberman ups the price for joining a future Netanyahu gov't By Lily Galili, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Likud, Benjamin Netanyahu  MK Avigdor Lieberman, chair of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, recently said he would not join a government headed by opposition Leader Benjamin Netanyahu if the ultra-Orthodox Sephardi Shas party was part of that government. "Shas has consistently thwarted legislation that Yisrael Beiteinu views as essential," Lieberman told Haaretz in explaining the stipulation. "This includes legislation aimed at simplifying conversion procedures, civil marriage solutions and efforts to change the system of government." This latest demand is the second condition that Lieberman has specified vis-a-vis the hopeful Likud politician's future government, if he wins a general election. Three weeks ago, Lieberman said he would not join a Netanyahu-led government unless he received the defense portfolio. Advertisement Netanyahu's associates say the defense demand and the Shas condition - which Lieberman first stipulated a few days ago during a visit to New Jersey - irked the Likud chair, who reportedly saw them as "a wedge that Lieberman is driving between two natural allies." Other Likud sources said they found Lieberman's demand "peculiar, considering the man was part of a coalition together with Shas a mere few months ago." Others from Likud said Lieberman's preconditions "give the impression that he is not betting on Netanyahu to win the elections," explaining that Lieberman's demands are extravagant and unrealistic. This observation gives rise to speculations by political analysts that Lieberman's two demands constitute the first shot in the battle for Likud's Russian-speaking voters. The analysts say Lieberman is making the demands to set his secular, hawkish and Russo-centric party apart from Likud. Lieberman denies his statements are geared toward attracting more votes. "What I said did not come any from electoral consideration except one - because of Shas, some of our voters are saying against me that we have failed to deliver what I promised in our agenda." When asked about the comments of Netanyahu's associates on his conditions, Lieberman said: "Why should I care what Bibi [Benjamin Netanyahu] thinks about my statements? I'm not a member of Likud and my outlook does not run along the same lines as the positions championed by Netanyahu, who couldn't even be bothered to attend the vote on our conversion law." The opposition MK added: "If we take the two conditions I have set for joining a future government headed by Netanyahu and examine them, then they mean that our optimal condition is my presiding as defense minister in a government that does not include Shas. That way we will have a government that will deal with civil and security issues efficiently without wasting time." Related articles: Lieberman blasts Arab MKs, pulls party out of government Lieberman to Arab MKs: One day we will 'take care of you' Lieberman is a strategic threat Bookmark to del.icio.us   Nazi hunted Nazi sheltered by Austria seen enjoying Euro 2008 games. Battle of the attitude An 'Israeli au pair' seems to be the ultimate oxymoron.   1.   Oh rapture! 10:13  |  Clickfool 16/06/08   2.   Lieberman, no one cares about your statements 10:20  |  Palestinian in UK 16/06/08   3.   Let`s just not vote for these Shmocks! 11:20  |  john Doe 16/06/08   4.   Let him price-himself-out completely... 11:28  |  Esther 16/06/08   5.   How about another explanation? 11:49  |  Johnboy 16/06/08   6.   Lieberman need not worry about $ha$ 13:26  |  Arie 16/06/08   7.   Oi Voi Voi 13:44  |  concerned citizen 16/06/08

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