Free Republic

Oct. 8, 2003 Rabbinical courts transferred to 'secular' Justice Ministry By HERB KEINON The cabinet voted to dismantle the Religious Affairs Ministry Wednesday and transfer authority over the rabbinical courts to the Justice Ministry headed by Shinui leader Yosef Lapid, a move that infuriated the National Religious Party and triggered a coalition crisis. The NRP, which threatened to leave the government over the issue, wants the Chief Rabbinate and the rabbinical courts to remain united and come under the purview of the Prime Minister's Office, in order to keep them out of Lapid's administrative orbit. The NRP faction decided Wednesday...

Yahalom Takes Heat from Defense Ministry 16:55 Sep 11, '03 / 14 Elul 5763 (IsraelNN.com) Defense Ministry officials are furious over MK (NRP) Shaul Yahalom blocking funding for the continued construction of the security fence between Israeli and PA areas. Officials insist that the monies that should have been allocated by Yahalom’s committee are for the continuation of the fence in the Gilboa region, and not for any controversial areas. Opposition Blasts Yahalom’s Freezing Security Fence FundsOpposition MKs including Ephraim Sneh (Labor) blasted a decision by security subcommittee chairman MK (National Religious Party) Shaul Yahalom for freezing security fence...