This anti-democratic movement has cultivated itself as a "beggars CAN be choosers", king-maker quasi-political party. Its entire existence is based on exclusionism, criminality and greed. Its governing principle is to spread the loot among its followers, a small minority of the population. Many will be glad to see it vanish from the political system.

Rather than spending their energy in trying to enforce unenforceable laws of dubious value, true religious leaders - as opposed to political leaders wrapped in the cloak of religion - would spend their time teaching and demonstrating the beauties of Judaism. Instead they are busy demonstrating the exact opposite. They use their political leverage to wrest vast sums of money from the government, i.e. from the pockets of the taxpayers, to support thousands who will not serve their country in the army or any other way, thereby creating hatred among the secular. They bring disrespect upon Judaism - and desecrate God's name - by sending to the Knesset those who end up in jail for flaunting the very laws of the Torah they pretend to represent.

If you object to Shas having such undeserved influence, why don't you mention our undemocratic dysfunctional political system which allows for this disasterous state of affairs? Why don't you criticise the party-list system that encourages unaccountability & irresponsibility? But, of course, we all know why you don't - because this lousy system also allows for the perpetuation of of our elitist leftist politicians.

"loot among its followers, a small minority of the population." If it's such a minority, how does it have so many seats in the Knesset?

They are a bunch of money grabbing self serving greedy dispicable imbeciles who really don't care for hungry children (Haredi) they only care about how much money they can line their pockets with. Feh, they are REALLY abhorrent.

Your just peeved coz shas didnt support and bring Kadimah back to government. Had they youd be praising them as to how virtuous they are. Well I dont care which government they support I recognise they are worthless self serving blackmailers who care only about $$$ while the country burns. I despise them, but you are willing to tolerate them if the price is right just to keep the left appeasers in power. You dont fool me.

Because many secular and traditional Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews vote for Shas... Unfortunately. They don't understand that Shas has an interest in keeping a Mizrahi underclass, which is poor and dependent on state funds to live. Otherwise, of course, Shas would have no voters and its fat corrupt MKs would be out of the job.

I do not disagree with you about Shas. Only Israel needs to go to elections. The Jews must have a chance to elect a stronger government.

the answer to you question is that most Shas supporters follow the word of Ovadia Yosef and his bunch of merry men like a bunch of sheep. Ovadia Yosef is the puppet master and Eli Yishai and the rest of them follow his every word. Not only are they a party that includees 6 convicted criminals but it is obvious they are tottaly clueless about the world economy situation. Instead of demanding outrageous sums of money they should be encouraging their supporters to get a job, pay taxes and serve in the army instead of milking the system dry while contributing nothing.

How many billions leftists give to israel arabs ?Do they serve their country ? The main point between Livni and Shas was not money it was Jérusalem, everybody who is not brainwashed by the leftists media know that. Shas has not say no to Livni cause she give them 800 million instead of 900 millions shekalim. it is ridiculous to think that (the budget of the state is one hundred of BILLION shekalim). Shas and Kadima use this excuse, Shas because they think they will appear as the defender of the poors and Kadima because Livni don t want people known too much she want to divide Jérusalem, it is better to her to say she has said no because she is responsible and she has not wanted to perturbate the budget (be serious some hundred of million shekalim of less or more is not a so serious problem, you will see before the election this government will find money to fund populist programs ). Leftists are furious because the plan of Livni was to negociate a piece of paper with Abbas, call election and polarize the debate with the slogan "peace with Kadima or war", their only chance to win. It is why it was so important for them to say no to the demand of Shas of no negociation about Jérusalem. Yishay had no choice, 92% of the people who vote shas don t want the partition of Jerusalem. Israeli people be clever, learn to decipher your medias.

Shas will be in the government!

The major issues are not what gets them elected - and not what their voters put them in office to do. That's how a small and multi party political system *works*. We have hordes of such parties. Shas, Aguda, Meretz, Gimla'im, all three Arab parties... Shas is just the more popular of the small, and small-minded, parties. Why? Because Shas has a consistent policy of keeping their promises to the voters, even with some of the stupid little people/askanim they put into shoes too big for them. Shas has kept its promises of social oversight and reform via the TAMA"T office and the Communications office. Shas have restored the Office of Religious Affairs, removing the bureaucratic hell that made salaries, management, and so on, in these issues *impossible* for the past several years. Shas has been consistent in doing what its voters want. Amazingly consistent, at that, considering the average politician. So why blame them for working the system, a system they merely participate in rather than created? You want parties to look at the bigger picture? Plan further ahead? Have an attention span longer than next week? Change The System. But like Terry from #4 said - that won't happen. Because that would mean losing the marginal view politicians as well, some of whom remain popular in several high offices. That's the only way that the marginals can have real power - otherwise, Shas would have merged with another social and/or religious platform party long ago, helping diversify its views and giving it a long-term outlook. And the likes of Meretz would've been gone from the political field.

Who is going to punish Shas? People that didn't vote for it last time and didn't intend to next time? Shas is the only party that did anything for its constituents since the last elections. Israel Beitenu withdrew from the coalition and only it and Shas will be rewarded and mostly probably with more mandates than they had last time around. Apart from those that remained in opposition of course and they will gain big time. The other members of the coalition did nothing or next to nothing for their constituents and Labor will be punished most of all. Livni proved herself to be a rank amateur who was given a once in a lifetime chance and flunked it. Olmert said she was incapable and must have been sitting on the sidelines chuckling. The article is pure drivel. Mike

Had god wished to inflict an eleventh plague on Egypt, he would have given them SHAS

1. Sima seems not to understand the Shas voters nor the general Mizrahi public, where even those that do not vote Shas have a great reverence for Rav Ovadia and a soft spot for its social work at grass root level. 2. The general populace does not seem to like Kadima nor its policies. So where has Shas gone wrong in not supporting it ?

No matter what your feelings for Shas are (and I am not a Shas lover) you must agree that they are one of the few parties that actually represent their members. All the Israeli parties are corrupt and have nothing other than themselves in mind. Shas doea take care of their own. The truth is Kadima & Labor will "bite the dust" and their time is over. Hopefully Mr. Omlet will also disapear from the politacle scene. More Lefty babble Sima

Mike you consistently hit the nail on the head. You ain't from around here either I guess. I believe it might be time for a "new" party to teach our israeli compatriates what real Democracy realy is.

Dafka - this is the ONE time that Shas acted for the benefit of Am Yisrael - giving up sure govt. porfolios for the sake of Jerusalem and child allowance - which benefits all families with children.

It's really hard to overestimate how twisted Israelis have become.

I started a new blog site just over two weeks ago and it has really taken off. http://obamafarleft.notlong.com The above is getting lots of comments. Right now it's emphasis is on the US elections. Getting around 400 hits per day already. "not from around here"? http://redbourn.notlong.com is me :-) Mike

Olmert is a crook that was taking the country somewhere that it didn't want to go and Livni is a rank amateur. And take a look at your neck of the woods and see how twisted it's become. Mike

your comment is biased;do you really think Labor with Barack is thinking about the beheaviour of israele citizens?and who knows what Kadima represents today?the vote with list is not a good one but it is not Shas responsible for this.Let 's go to elections

No matter how much the media attempts to slander Harav Ovadia, Shas grows larger and larger, from one election to the next. The simple reason is that far more Israelis care about what that "88-year-old rabbi" has to say than the journalists who slam him. Without a doubt Shas will gain seats in the next elections, b"h.

Baruch Hashem. I am Mizrachi from L.A. During the high holidays the Mizrachim of the U.S. raised large sums of money for poor Israelis, including Ashkenazim and Arabs. Not just Sepharadim! Why, because the Israeli government has always been led by elitist Euro - Israelis who are rich and who do not understand the reality of poverty amongst Breslov and Lubavitch and other Hassidim, as well as Arabs (including a lot of a-political hard working Arabs). While the Israeli government is spending lots of money on landsacping areas where secular Ashkenazim live as well as beautfil bridges and global peace conferences, a lot of people (particularly Mizrachim--Iranian, Iraqi, Yemenite, Ethiopian, Turkish & Moroccan) are struggling to make ends meet. Shas intends to help bring these people out of poverty, and that is a true Kiddush Hashem. Of course they must work. So, if the Shas can get these people working and get allowances for their children to eat and sleep comfortably, I think everyone wins. This is the goal of Shas. Please respect this. Shavuah Tov my good friends.

they'll never get a real democracy with accountable politicians. So what is it going to take. The party list system makes no sense in a modern democracy.

In defence of Shas Mr. Kadmon shows himself as very naive. He says Shas does not have the best interest of Israel and no pure motives; moral or right in arguments. Well hello!. NO party does. Each acts out of its own self interest and is there to advance its agenda. If we don't like their agenda, we don't vote for them. Obviously, they have Israel's support regarding the poor and in not dividing Jerusalem. It is Kadima and Mr. Kadmon who are out of touch with middle Israelis.

i'm a secular jew but i'm glad to see that rav Ovadia 88 know the rules of the power that has been putting aside from the society a lot of mizrahim and ethiopians !! the same mafia that want to lead the country, to divide jerusalem , the same mafia that Olmert and his gang (hirshson) came from ,the same mafia that is sharing the money between them !! rav ovadia just gave them a political lesson

A married couple should have as many children as they can afford to raise. First and foremost , adult parents must make a living, only then do they have the privelege to study. Shas (and the other Haredi parties) legitimize sponging off the government (ie working taxpayer) in the name of the Almighty, not to mention avoiding military service. What gives them the right? I too would like to study all day, but I work instead, and study when I can. The haredi parties, Shas included, legitimize blanket exemptions from military service. Now that elections are upon us, we will all witness Yeshiva Bochurs attempting to persuade soldiers to vote Shas! I served my compulsory military service and twenty five years of annual reserve duty. Have they no shame? Tzipi was right not to surrender to their extortion.