Steinitz: Deport 100,000 illegal workers

“What’s going on is an outrage,” said Steinitz at a meeting a few hours prior to the Passover Seder. “There are a 100,000 people taking jobs illegally while Israelis remain unemployed. The plan must involve painful economic sanctions on those who employ illegal workers.”

Currently, an employer hiring illegal workers can be fined up to NIS 100,000 (about $24,000) and Steinitz is interested in doubling this sum.

For full article, visit http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3700189,00.html

Likud in turmoil after Netanyahu-Shalom meeting canceled

The chasm between Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu and Likud MK and chief party rival Silvan Shalom is growing ever wider Tuesday after a meeting scheduled to resolve the row over the latter’s role in the next government was postponed indefinitely.

Hours before Netanyahu’s government is to be sworn in at the Knesset in Jerusalem, it is unclear if and when the two will meet to patch up their differences.

For full article, visit http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1075193.html

Israel Beiteinu warns it may leave gov’t

Israel Beiteinu on Tuesday denied reports that Prime Minister-designate Binyamin Netanyahu and Avigdor Lieberman had agreed that if the latter is charged with any crime and forced to leave the Foreign Ministry, the portfolio would go to the Likud, warning that if that were to happen, the party would leave the government.

For full article, visit http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1238423647847&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Netanyahu ‘to present new cabinet’

“Mr Netanyahu will present Tuesday night his cabinet for a  Knesset [parliament] vote,” the official was quoted as saying.

Netanyahu will preside over a 69-seat coalition in the 120-member parliament that leans heavily to the right.

Egypt has already voiced its concern over Netanyahu's likely cabinet

For full article, visit http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/03/200933055037318365.html

MK Yisrael Katz is rumored to be the leading candidate for the Transportation Ministry, MK Gilad Erdan is likely to be named to the Environmental Protection Ministry, MK Moshe Kahlon is in the lead for the Communications Ministry and MK Limor Livnat for the Science, Culture and Sport’s Ministry.

For full article, visit http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3694139,00.html

Sources close to Netanyahu said he had no intention of appointing someone who would become acting prime minister in case of emergency. That post, and finance minister, are precisely the positions Silvan Shalom had sought; Shalom has communicated to Netanyahu over the past few days that he would prefer no ministerial post at all if Netanyahu does not keep his promise to appoint Shalom to a senior position. It is believed Netanyahu intends to appoint Shalom as his vice premier and minister for regional development, or minister for economic peace and deputy prime minister, hoping this satisfies Shalom.

For full article, visit http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1074818.html