UTJ & Shas Oust NRP From Orthodox Lobby / Rabbi Eliyahu Objects to NRP Agreement

Israel National News ^ | 24 February 2003

[anotherview]

UTJ & Shas Oust NRP From Orthodox Lobby

(IsraelNN.com) The ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism and Shas parties have decided to oust the National Religious Party from the Knesset Orthodox lobby as a result of the NRP entering the national coalition government with Shinui.

Rabbi Eliyahu Objects to NRP Agreement

(IsraelNN.com) Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu expressed his opposition to the coalition agreement reached by the National Religious Party. The former chief rabbi is seen as an unofficial spiritual leader of the NRP.

Persons close to Rabbi Eliyahu explain that he is opposed to the dismantling of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, changing the status of the Tal Law, and amending issues dealing with marriage. "Even in Soviet Russia there was a ministry of religion," Rabbi Eliyahu told his aides.

Persons close to the senior rabbinical figure explain that the new agreement will result in the firing of hundreds of Ministry of Religious Affairs employees as well as a NIS 250 million cut in funding for religious schools.

[anotherview]

Two more short updates with the religious reaction to the new coalition in Israel.

[UncleSamUSA]

This is a perfect example of the old adage of "Closing the barn door after the horses have escaped."