Shas spiritual leader threatens to quit gov't
A High Court decision to allow Tel Aviv supermarkets to be open on Shabbat is raising ire in Shas and local Haredi parties, who have quit the municipal governing coalition and are threatening to quit the national government.
Cohen, the successor of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef and president of its Council of Torah Sages, made his comments during a conference held by Shas in Tel Aviv.
"We have the 'High Court of Crazy' that makes all the problems of desecrating Shabbat. They rule today. We need to fight against everything this High Court does and if not, we will even quit the government," Cohen threatened.
He also praised the representatives of the Haredi parties in Tel Aviv who announced their resignation from the municipal coalition Tuesday in light of the High Court decision. Cohen further expressed hope that Shas would succeed in preventing the implementation of the new bylaw.
Additionally, Cohen heaped praise on Minister of the Interior Aryeh Deri for attempting to promote a law to bypass the High Court's decision to allow for the opening of supermarkets on Saturday.
"Praised be the lord who provided us a representative in Rabbi Aryeh Deri, who fights for us in all manners on this issue. Pray for Rabbi Deri that the Lord will guide him and continue to help him for His glory," proclaimed Cohen.
