Deri Could Give Bedrich Fin Min To Break Coalition Impasse-Haaretz

Haartez reporting that according to sources from within Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party, head of the Haredi-interest Shas Party Aryeh Deri could pull back on his demand to head the finance ministry in any new gov't, allowing right-wing Religious Zionist Party head Bezalel Smotrich to take the position.

• Since receiving the mandate to form a gov't last week, Netanyahu has been unable to reach an agreement with Religious Zionism and its allies in Otzma Yehudit that would allow the formation of a majority gov't.
• Smotrich believed to have demanded either the finance or defence ministries. Speculation that the US had warned of its concerns of the far-right taking on the defence portfolio, and Deri's previous demand of the Treasury seen as an obstacle to progress.
• Even if Shas, Likud, and Religious Zionism come to an agreement there is the issue of the Attorney General's decision that Deri's appointment would be subject to approval from the Central Elections Committee chairman. This follow's Deri's conviction and imprisonment 20 years ago for accepting bribes while interior minister, and a plea bargain from 2021 regarding unpaid taxes. Should the chair decide against Deri's appointment, it could further delay the formation of a gov't.