Shas, Kadima meet for coalition negotiations

Kadima representatives met Saturday night with senior Shas officials in an attempt to conclude the coalition negotiations taking place between the two parties. Kobi Hever, who is responsible for budgets in the Finance Ministry, will participate in the meeting. There was disagreement as of Saturday evening regarding what portfolio Kadima would offer Shas Chairman Eli Yishai. Shas has demanded he be given the Industry, Trade and Labor Ministry along with responsibility for the Israel Lands Authority, while Kadima reportedly preferred offering Yishai the Transportation or Housing and Construction ministries, but without surrendering the lands authority.