Unity was the overall theme of the speech delivered by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon at the opening winter session of the Knesset this afternoon. “A year and a half ago I presented my unity government to this forum. Many didn’t believe that this government would last, but it turns out that national unity is our strength,” said Sharon. “Unity” Sharon added, “is what gives us the strength to stand up against our enemies…Unity is what the nation really wants at this hour.” Following his talk, Sharon made last minute preparations before traveling to Washington this evening to meet with US President George Bush.
One of the first items on the table at the Knesset is a bill proposed by Rabbi Yehuda Gilad of the Meimad left-wing religious Zionist party calling on Israel to elect only one Rabbi as the Chief Rabbi of the country, and not two as is the current practice. Until now, two Rabbis, one of Ashkenazic, and the other of Sephardic descent, have acted as Israel’s top Rabbinical Authorities. If the Knesset passes Rabbi Gilad’s resolution, the new one-Rabbi configuration would be implemented at the start of the summer.
Arutz Sheva Knesset correspondent Haggai Seri reports that in its first weeks, the Knesset will discuss issues on several fronts including the current Oslo War, the situation with Iraq, as well as the 2003 State budget. The Herut and Meretz parties, who had both contemplated introducing no-confidence motions against the government, retracted their threats.
One of the first items on the table at the Knesset is a bill proposed by Rabbi Yehuda Gilad of the Meimad left-wing religious Zionist party calling on Israel to elect only one Rabbi as the Chief Rabbi of the country, and not two as is the current practice. Until now, two Rabbis, one of Ashkenazic, and the other of Sephardic descent, have acted as Israel’s top Rabbinical Authorities. If the Knesset passes Rabbi Gilad’s resolution, the new one-Rabbi configuration would be implemented at the start of the summer.
Arutz Sheva Knesset correspondent Haggai Seri reports that in its first weeks, the Knesset will discuss issues on several fronts including the current Oslo War, the situation with Iraq, as well as the 2003 State budget. The Herut and Meretz parties, who had both contemplated introducing no-confidence motions against the government, retracted their threats.