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Meretz Joins Shas on No-Confidence Motion 22:15 Oct 30, '03 / 4 Cheshvan 5764 (IsraelNN.com) The secular radical left wing Meretz party is partnering a no-confidence motion against the government with the ultra-Orthodox Shas party following today’s release of the National Insurance Institute report on the increase in poverty in Israel. In a somewhat ironic twist, former Minister of Labor & Social Affairs, Shas’ Shlomo Benizri, rejected accusations from current minister (NRP) Zevulun Orlev. Orlev pointed the finger of blame for the current situation on his predecessor, Shlomo Benizri. Benizri insists he left affairs in order and the current bleak...

"Unsuccessful" Talks Help Diffuse Tensions MKs Zevulun Orlev of the NRP and Tommy Lapid of the avowedly secular Shinui party met today, but disagreed on topics such as Shinui's demand for civil marriages and public Shabbat transportation in Israel. Shinui also wishes to have Reform conversion recognized. NRP leader Effie Eitam said afterwards that though he does not rule out the possibility of sitting in the same government as Shinui, it does not appear workable under the current circumstances. Although Shinui and the NRP failed to come to a mutual understanding on many of the issues facing Israeli society today,...