Barak still considering Shas Party in coalition

In the minority scenario, Barak's Labor/One Israel bloc (26 seats) would join with Meretz (10), Shinui (6), the Center Party (6), Yisrael Ba'Aliyah (6) and One Nation (2) to create a left-liberal, non-Orthodox coalition of 56 seats.

Still, seasoned observers are detecting a slow but perceptible shift on the part of Barak away from the idea of a minority government and toward the inclusion of the controversial Shas Party.

Shas' 17 Knesset seats make it, like Barak himself, a major victor in the May 17 elections.

The inclusion of the fervently religious Shas in a Barak cabinet, however, still faces the vehement opposition of the two secular parties, Meretz and Shinui.

On Wednesday, Israel's president attempted to break the logjam. Ezer Weizman hosted the leader of the secular Meretz Party and tried to convince him to join a government that also includes Shas Party.

Meretz leader Yossi Sarid indicated he would consider such a move if it became clear in several months that Shas is no longer led by Aryeh Deri, who was convicted in March of receiving bribes.

Barak held a lengthy private meeting last week with Ariel Sharon, Likud's acting chairman and the outgoing foreign minister, and there have been several working sessions between representatives of the two parties.

By the same token, though, the uncompromising positions put forward by Likud, and especially by Sharon, appear to have convinced Barak that a partnership with Likud is not realistic.