Shas to receive 4 portfolios, NIS 1.8 billion
PM, Shas chairman meet to 'wrap things up,' decide: Shas will receive 4 portfolios, but will not receive responsibility over Israel Lands Authority; ultra Orthodox party will also receive huge sum for religious children. Agreement states there will be no legislation on issue of people prevented from getting married due to halichic constraints unless it is accepted by entire coalition
A meeting between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Shas Chairman Eli Yishai on Monday afternoon concluded with decisions on most of the issues dividing the parties.
During the conversation, it was decided that Shas would receive four portfolios. The party will receive the Trade and Industry Ministry, without control over the Israel Lands Authority. It would also receive the Communications Ministry, and a Shas minister would be responsible for religious services. An additional Shas minister would serve in the cabinet without a portfolio – it has yet to be determined in which ministry he will serve, but it is likely to be either education or finance.
In addition, Shas has attained a major goal on the issue of funding, which will be brought for authorization by the Torah sages: The cancellation of a future budget of NIS 450 million (USD 100 million). In addition, a one time transfer of NIS 650 million (USD 144 million) for children will be received by Shas, as well as another NIS 700 million (USD 156 million), to be divided by a special ministers' committee on funding, headed by Yishai. In total the sum agreed upon is NIS 1.8 billion (USD 400 million).
According to the coalition agreement between Shas and Kadima, there will be no legislation on the issue of people prevented from getting married unless it is accepted by the entire coalition.
The senior party member: "The promise for a fund of 700 NIS is for three years. There is no news here for the distress our public is facing."
Rabbi Yosef gives his blessing
The Shas Torah Sages met on Sunday and authorized the coalition agreement between Shas and Kadima. An hour later Kadima and Shas signed on the guiding principles of the agreement.
Shas' spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef expressed satisfaction for the gains Shas made and blessed the negotiations and its successes.
Rabbi Ovadia Yosef said: "First of all I want to bless God, who was charitable; we succeeded in the elections so that we can make an impact on the Israeli people.
He also blessed Yishai, "who did all in his power so that Shas can fix what needs to be fixed, to help the poor, and the teaching of Torah."
Regarding the convergence plan, also a source of division, Shas demanded that it be softened – and it was decided that Yishai submit a letter attached to the coalition agreement, in which he will say that Shas is not obligated to vote in favor of the plan, and that Rabbi Yosef would decide on the issue when the time came.
The authority for the selection of ministers rests with Rabbi Ovadia Yosef and the Council of Shas Torah Sages. While it is clear that Yishai will receive the senior Trade and Industry portfolio, the remaining three portfolios are the source of internal competition.
According to the coalition agreement between Shas and Kadima, there will be no legislation on the issue of people prevented from getting married due to halichic constraints unless it is accepted by the entire coalition.
Meanwhile, negotiations between Kadima and the United Torah Judaism appear to have broken down. A senior member of the United Torah Judaism party said following a meeting with Kadima, "we are going home, they're not serious. It's clear that Kadima pulled a fast one on Shas. The gains Shas made in funding is nonsense, Shas did not make any gains on the issue of funding."
