Netanyahu's party inks deal with Shas party on coalition gov't in Israel

JERUSALEM

The Likud Party of Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday signed a deal with the far-right Shas party to join the upcoming government.

Israeli official public broadcaster KAN said under the agreement, the head of Shas party, Aryeh Deri, will take the interior and health ministries in the first half of the government period (two years) while in the second half he will be finance minister.

In a previous agreement, Netanyahu agreed with Bezalel Smotrich, head of the Religious Zionism party, to take the finance minister portfolio for two years.

The agreement with Shas also stipulates that Shas will hold the Religious Services Ministry and the Welfare Ministry.

Netanyahu has so far agreed with several far-right parties including the Religious Zionism party, the Jewish Strength party, and the Noam Party, while he is still negotiating with the United Torah over legislation requested by the party.

Under these agreements, the Likud party is expected to hold the ministries of defense, foreign affairs, justice, and infrastructure.

An election this November paved the way for Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, to return to power.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar