Right-wing parties angry at Netanyahu's tactics

'Netanyahu hasn't changed. He used us,' says NU chairman.

By SHELLY PAZ
Prime Minister-designate Binyamin Netanyahu has come under fire from the National Union and Habayit Hayehudi for continuing to woo Labor and Kadima in coalition negotiations, while at the same time ignoring them. National Union chairman Ya'akov Katz criticized Netanyahu earlier this week for neglecting his "natural allies" and chasing after Labor leader Ehud Barak and Kadima head Tzipi Livni. "Netanyahu's style hasn't changed. He used us, United Torah Judaism and Shas as plugs for his government until he hooks up with Kadima and Labor. We won't sit in the government if we cannot be involved in housing, building of settlements and education," Katz said on Wednesday. He refused to speak further on the issue on Thursday. Reports attributed to Likud's coalition negotiation team on Thursday suggested that the Construction and Housing portfolio would be given to Shas, while the Education Ministry would not go to a small party, thus ruling out the National Union and Habayit Hayehudi. At Habayit Hayehudi the feelings were similar but the words were softer. "We don't want to react on the issue for now," a spokesman for party chairman Daniel Hershkowitz said. "They [Likud negotiators] listen to us. We handed them our demands and now they are busy negotiating with [Israel Beiteinu chairman Avigdor] Lieberman. We don't feel like we are neglected," the spokesman said. Habayit Hayehudi, a party of three MKs, has asked for the Education portfolio and a deputy ministership in either the Finance, Interior or Welfare ministries.