Far-Right wins control of West Bank as Coalition negotiations continue

Likud has acceded to Religious Zionism's demand for some of the powers of the Civil Administration, which is under the Defence Ministry.

Israel's designated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to grant Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionism authority over the Civil Administration which oversees construction, infrastructure and security coordination in the West Bank.

The agreement was reached as part of coalition talks between Netanyahu's Likud and Religious Zionism which stalled once more after the parties failed to reach agreement on several other key issues.

Likud is demanding that any move related to the Administration must be agreed upon in advance between Netanyahu and Smotrich, a demand Religious Zionism reject.

The administration is responsible for approving Palestinian construction plans and settlement construction in Area C. The Administration's inspection department is responsible for detecting illegal construction and is the one that, among other things, cracks down on illegal outposts, for which Smotrich and his party have expressed support many times.

The administration is also responsible for issuing work permits to Palestinian labourers as well as liaising with the Palestinian Authority on issues related to security coordination and building infrastructure such as roads or a water network.

Other outstanding issues in the talks between the parties include the proposed rotation of the finance portfolio between Smotrich and Shas party leader Arye Dery. 

Sources close to the negotiations say Likud officials are accusing Smotrich of making excessive demands, while their counterparts in Religious Zionism claim that Likud has gone back on agreements reached earlier.

Shas is also expected to receive the Diaspora Affairs Ministry, a possibility that has prompted deep concern from many Diaspora leaders, mainly in North America.