UTJ Accuses Govt, Shas of ‘Budgetary Assassination’

Members of Knesset from the hareidi-religious UTJ party expressed anger at the government on Tuesday, accusing the Knesset of attempting a “budgetary assassination” of yeshivot.  The proposed 2008 budget revealed on Tuesday allocated NIS 152 million to men’s Torah learning—a NIS 499 million cut from the current budget, according to which yeshivot receive NIS 651. 

UTJ MK Moshe Gafni said that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s government has been the worst for the hareidi public, pointing out that even when the anti-religious Shinui party was in the coalition yeshivot had a much higher budget.

MK Gafni harshly criticized the Shas party, saying “The Shas party, which pretends to be a hareidi-religious party, is a full partner in the trend of annihilation of the Torah world.”  The Jewish public will not forgive Shas, he said, adding “Their hand does not tremble as they vote again and again with this destructive coalition.”