Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, a former Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, telephoned Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Tuesday morning to encourage him prior him to the Winograd Committee report on the conduct of the government and military during the Second Lebanon War. The final report is to be issued Wednesday evening.

The strength of the government coalition hinges on Shas not following the lead of Israel Is Our Home (Yisrael Beiteinu) and pulling out. Prime Minister Olmert has said he will not talk with the Palestinian Authority (PA) about dividing Jerusalem until all other issues are solved. The move effectively removes a threat by Shas that it will quit the government if senior negotiators talk with the PA about ceding parts of the capital.