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June 29, 1999
Web posted at: 6:38 p.m. EDT (2238 GMT)

In this story: Likud will not be included RELATED STORIES, SITES

JERUSALEM -- Israeli Prime Minister-elect Ehud Barak moved closer to clinching a broad coalition government on Tuesday, winning the support of a small religious party that could pave the way for the larger, ultra-Orthodox Shas party to join as well.

The United Torah Judaism party, which holds five seats in Parliament, initialed an agreement to enter Barak's coalition, giving the incoming leader 42 votes in the 120- seat Knesset. Barak was also said to be close to adding the Center and Meretz factions.

David Ziso, Barak's spokesman, said an announcement would be made by Friday on the formation of the government. Barak has until July 9 to present his Cabinet to the parliament.

"Whatever happens, there will be a government," Ziso said.

Barak defeated outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by an overwhelming margin on May 17.

Yossi Beilin, a senior member of Barak's One Israel party and an architect of Middle East accords, hailed the growing government as a "peace coalition" capable of reviving Israeli-Palestinian talks.

Likud will not be included

But Barak's coalition will not include Netanyahu's Likud party. Talks between One Israel and Likud broke down on Monday, with Barak rejecting Likud's hard-line stand on Jewish settlements and peace concessions to the Palestinians.

With Likud out of the equation, Barak focused on bringing the ultra-religious Shas party into the fold. Though criticized by secular parties, Shas has taken a relatively dovish line on peace moves with the Arabs and territorial compromise.

"Had he brought the Likud in, he knew he would have to go far more slowly both on the Palestinian front and especially on the Syrian front," said Leslie Susser of the Jerusalem Report. "And he wants to move very quickly. Shas will give him a great deal of support on both these fronts.".

Shas, representing Israelis of North African origin, gave in to Barak's main demand for the resignation of party leader Arieh Deri, convicted on bribery charges last April and sentenced to four years in prison. He is free while appealing the verdict and sentence.

Shas' calling card is social issues in Israel's disadvantaged neighborhoods. By bringing Shas and the secular Meretz party into the same coalition, Barak apparently hopes to make good his promise to heal the bitter divisions that have wracked Israeli society in recent years.

Palestinian and Arab leaders, who were concerned by the prospects of again dealing with Likud, have expressed relief Likud will not likely be a part of the new government.

On a visit to Jordan, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat called on Barak to implement agreements with the Palestinians and make peace with Syria and Lebanon.

"We want to see a comprehensive and just settlement on all tracks, Syrian, Lebanese and Palestinian," he said.

Israeli negotiations with Syria, the dominant power in Lebanon, have not taken place since early 1996.

Correspondent Jerrold Kessel, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

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