Coalition talks between Netanyahu and Smotrich said at an impasse

Religious Zionism leader Bezalel Smotrich arrives for coalition talks with Likud chief Benjamin Netanyahu, in Jerusalem, November 6, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Coalition talks between Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud and Religious Zionism’s Bezalel Smotrich are at an impasse, Ynet reports.
The unsourced report says the teams have not been able to bridge the issue of Smotrich’s demand for one of the major portfolios — defense or finance — which Likud is reluctant to give to him.
The report says this is having a knock-on effect, delaying negotiations with other parties and within Likud.
It also says that Netanyahu and Smotrich have not met or spoken since Wednesday.