Shas wants to combat recession while doubling child benefits

Despite Shas leader Eli Yishai's stated desire to combat the economic crisis in Israel, the ultra-Orthodox party is conditioning its entry into the next government on a commitment to double child welfare payments.

"Of course, we understand that the subsidies won't return to their previous levels, but the current absurd amount - 140 NIS per child - should be doubled, at least," Shas MK Nissim Zeev told Channel 7 radio on Wednesday.

Yishai met with Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday for the official start of coalition talks between the two parties.

In the radio interview, Ze'ev added that his party will request an additional NIS 1.5 billion for large families. "This will be something the must come from the 2009 budget," he said.

The lawmaker also spoke about the prospect of instituting civil marriages in Israel, which is the central sticking point between Shas and the far-right Yisrael Beiteinu party. Yisrael Beiteinu is also in coalition negotiations with Likud.

"There are things that you can't compromise on and I hope that this subject will not come up for discussion. We pray and hope that a government representing the will of the people can be established, [but] sadly there are serious snags," said Ze'ev.

After the meeting with Netanyahu on Wednesday, Yishai said "relatively large gaps" remain between his party and Likud on policy issues, but that the meeting was held in an "honest, transparent atmosphere, with very real intention of bridging the gaps."