Likud MK Silvan Shalom denied reports on Sunday that he informed Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu that he has no interest in serving as finance minister in his governing coalition. Shalom, who is believed to have long sought the foreign ministry post he once held under Ariel Sharon, told supporters on Sunday night that he is intent on preserving unity within the Likud "though unity needs to be the desire of everybody." "Portfolios never interested me and all the reports that I refused the finance ministry have no grasp of reality," Shalom said. "With all due respect, the Likud won the last elections, not [Avigdor] Lieberman and not Shas, and the Likud needs to be the most influential factor in the government."
Shalom made the statements during a Purim party he organized for Likud activists in his camp. The event was later described by some as a political protest against Netanyahu's agreement with Lieberman, whose party will receive the Foreign Ministry in addition to Public Security, Justice, Infrastructures, and Tourism.
