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 why Shas decided to return to the government under such \"humiliating\" conditions. He said 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 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. If it is considered a \'humiliation\' to worry about the poor, so be it.\"
MK Ze\'ev Boim, Likud Knesset faction leader, said today that Prime Minister Sharon was justified in obtaining a Shas promise to vote for the budget cuts, \"as this is an emergency plan with very little leeway. It could be that he will make a gesture towards Shas and agree to some small adjustments that Shas can point to as \'achievements\' for its voters - but he will not accept significant changes.\"
Yeshai explained today why Shas decided to return to the government under such \"humiliating\" conditions. He said 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 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. If it is considered a \'humiliation\' to worry about the poor, so be it.\"
MK Ze\'ev Boim, Likud Knesset faction leader, said today that Prime Minister Sharon was justified in obtaining a Shas promise to vote for the budget cuts, \"as this is an emergency plan with very little leeway. It could be that he will make a gesture towards Shas and agree to some small adjustments that Shas can point to as \'achievements\' for its voters - but he will not accept significant changes.\"