Nine days after being fired from the government for voting against the budget-cutting package, Shas party leaders reached an agreement with Prime Minister Sharon last night paving the way for their return to the government coalition. Shas leader Eli Yeshai, who was dismissed as Interior Minister, signed a letter to Sharon promising to vote in favor of the government’s emergency economic plan in its final readings. Shas will also have a chance to discuss the cuts with Finance Ministry officials and recommend changes, though with no guarantee that the changes will be accepted.
Yeshai explained today that it was the opinion of Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef that since the budget cuts are guaranteed a majority in any event, there would therefore be no point in standing on the principle of voting against it and remaining outside the coalition. Rabbi Yosef also emphasized, according to Yeshai, that the critical security situation requires the presence of as broad a unity government as possible. \"Unfortunately,\" Yeshai said, \"the Likud, and Labor, and even the media, were involved in games of politics and honor, while we were the only ones worrying about those who will be most affected - the poor.\"
Yeshai explained today that it was the opinion of Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef that since the budget cuts are guaranteed a majority in any event, there would therefore be no point in standing on the principle of voting against it and remaining outside the coalition. Rabbi Yosef also emphasized, according to Yeshai, that the critical security situation requires the presence of as broad a unity government as possible. \"Unfortunately,\" Yeshai said, \"the Likud, and Labor, and even the media, were involved in games of politics and honor, while we were the only ones worrying about those who will be most affected - the poor.\"